The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr Nkem Okeke, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

President Muhammadu Buhari received the deputy governor on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Okeke was led to the President by the APC Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Governor Uzodinma briefed State House correspondents shortly after the new APC member was presented to the President.

He is confident that there will be more defections to the ruling party before the November 6 governorship election to be conducted by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State.

A photo taken on October 13, 2021, shows Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, having a discussion with APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, at the State House in Abuja.

The governor, however, faulted that claims by Governor Willi Obiano of Anambra that members of the State House of Assembly who defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) were financially induced to join the ruling party.

He stressed that rather than enticing the lawmakers with money, they were lobbied through persuasion and counselling.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the APC has inaugurated the party’s State Congress Committee chairmen and secretaries.

APC Caretaker Committee Secretary, Senator John Apkanudoedehe, who inaugurated the officials at the party’s secretariat in Abuja urged them to sustain the gains already made by the party’s leadership.

He also appealed to the newly inaugurated party officials to work hard and prevent disagreements that could affect the party’s fortunes in 2023.

Apkanudoedehe commended the Senate for approving electronic transmission of election results for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). (Channels TV)

•PHOTO: President Muhammadu Buhari receives Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke; APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, Mai Mala Buni; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, at the State House in Abuja on October 13, 2021

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