Okonkwo in statement on Friday after he was given waiver by the PDP to run for Senate, said he left APC because the platform did not observe internal democracy.
Okonkwo, who represented Anambra Central senatorial district under PDP between 2007 and 2011, was a member of committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Police Affairs, Environment (vice-chairman) and Agriculture.
“I am now a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform where I was elected to represent the people of Anambra Central senatorial district in 2007 and I am also contesting the senatorial election on the platform,” the statement said.
The people of Dunukofia, Anaocha and Awka North Local Government Areas, all in Anambra Central senatorial district, had unanimously endorsed the Senatorial bid of Okonkwo.
A PDP stakeholder in the district, Okechukwu Ekemezie, explained that indigenes decided to adopt Okonkwo because he distinguished himself among others vying for the position in the zone even before his election into the Senate in 2007.
Okonkwo had contested the gubernatorial primary of the APC alongside former governor, Chris Ngige, who eventually got the ticket.
