Okowa: I Regret Accepting Atiku’s Offer

Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has openly expressed regret over his decision to serve as the vice-presidential candidate alongside Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election. He acknowledged that his choice may have contradicted the wishes of his constituents.

During an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, Okowa described his acceptance of the role as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State—an issue that he has deeply contemplated.

He provided insights into his political decisions, the internal dynamics within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the increasing support among Delta stakeholders for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

While defending his record in office—including infrastructure advancements, free maternal and child healthcare, and the performance of his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori—Okowa conceded that joining Atiku’s ticket in 2023 came at a significant political cost.

“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.

“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” he stated.

He attributed the PDP’s poor performance in Delta during the presidential election to this sentiment, recognising that while he ran out of loyalty to his party, there was a strong desire in the south to see President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor emerge from their region.

However, Okowa highlighted that the political landscape changed just three weeks later during the governorship election, where the PDP secured victory in 21 out of 25 local governments.

“That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen. And they did,” he remarked.

In response to insinuations that his recent political shift was an attempt to have his ‘sins forgiven,’ Okowa firmly maintained that he had committed no wrongs, clarifying that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but had only honoured an invitation from the commission.

“I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC.

“So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole; we talked for the first time only yesterday because we are of different political parts and because we are of different political parts we were not friends per se,” he explained.

Okowa defended his defection as a result of extensive consultations across Delta State, asserting that continued opposition politics had placed the state at a disadvantage regarding federal access and influence.

Addressing moral criticisms of his shift to the APC after years of service in the PDP, Okowa stated that he owes no one an apology.

“Yes, I was a key player in the PDP from the formative stages, but the PDP of today is not the same party we built in 1998.

“When you find that the values and vision you once believed in are no longer there, then you step away,” he concluded.