Former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), asserting that he is not intimidated by the ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion during his tenure.
Mr Okowa made the declaration during an interview with Arise News on Tuesday, where he defended his record in office, stating that he served the people of Delta State effectively over his eight years in power. “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,” he said.
The EFCC is probing Mr Okowa, who was also the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, for allegedly misappropriating N1.3 trillion between 2015 and 2023. He is further accused of failing to account for an additional N40 billion purportedly used to acquire an eight per cent equity stake in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.
Additionally, it is alleged that he utilised state funds to purchase significant shares in one of the country’s major banks as part of the LNG deal. Following his arrest by the EFCC on 4 November 2024, he was later released after submitting his international passport.
Mr Okowa has categorically denied the allegations, describing them as “malicious and politically motivated,” and claimed that certain individuals are attempting to distort facts to serve their own interests.
Last Wednesday, he, alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commissioners, local government chairpersons, and PDP leaders in the state, officially joined the APC.
Political analysts have speculated that this defection may be part of a deal with the ruling party to mitigate the ongoing EFCC probe into the former governor. The next steps for the anti-graft agency remain unclear.
