Former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has clarified that his recent switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by a commitment to enhance the state’s connection to the federal government in Abuja.
Last week, Okowa, alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and several cabinet members, left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC. This significant political shift has caused concern within the PDP’s national leadership, as it resulted in the loss of one of the oil-rich states that the opposition party has governed since 1999.
During the APC welcome ceremony for the new members on Monday, Okowa addressed the motivations behind the defection, stating that it was in the best interest of Delta State. He, who served as the PDP Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, emphasised the necessity of linking the state to the benefits and resources available in the Federal Capital Territory.
“When the news broke on Wednesday that we had decided to change our path, people wondered why, but one thing is very important in a people’s history: there is always a time to change their path for the common good of the people,” he explained.
He continued, “As I did tell people that day, it was not about me, it was not about the governor, but the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that’s in Abuja of which Delta State is a large contributor, there was a need to connect to it.”
Okowa characterised the defection of Delta’s political leaders to the APC as both patriotic and strategic, noting that the state suffered losses during his tenure due to its opposition status.
“I was governor for eight years. I was in opposition. I did my best but we lost a lot. And I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard, and we know that we are very supportive of Governor Sheriff because he’s doing a lot. But as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power and resource and goodwill in Abuja,” the former governor stated.
He urged Deltans who are already members of the APC to welcome the new defectors and collaborate to strengthen the ruling party’s presence in the state. Okowa also called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, asserting that it is time for the people of Delta State to unite in support of both President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.
