Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa recently addressed his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during an interview with Arise TV. The move, which has sparked widespread debate, was described by Okowa as a strategic and patriotic choice aimed at advancing the interests of Delta State.
Okowa emphasized that his defection was not motivated by personal ambition but by a desire to align Delta State with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu. He highlighted the challenges he faced during his tenure as governor while in opposition, stating that the state missed out on significant opportunities due to its lack of connection to the federal power structure. “This decision was made after extensive consultations with stakeholders across Delta State,” Okowa explained, calling the move “bold, strategic, and well-intentioned.”
The former governor also addressed criticism from political figures, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who questioned the motivations behind his defection. Okowa dismissed these remarks, asserting that his decision was a collective one made in the best interest of Delta State.
PDP chieftain Dele Momodu have criticized it as opportunistic and reflective of a broader decline in political principles. Momodu argued that Okowa’s move lacked ideological grounding and was emblematic of the desperation that has come to define modern Nigerian politics.
Okowa’s defection, along with that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, marks a significant political realignment in a state that’s been PDP since 1999. Okowa has called for unity among Deltans, urging them to rally behind the new political direction for the state’s prosperity.
