Okowa explains defection to APC, says Delta must connect to power in Abuja

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has opened up about his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the need to align Delta State with the seat of power in Abuja.

Okowa, alongside his successor Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several members of the state’s cabinet, officially dumped the PDP last week, ending the party’s decades-long dominance in the oil-rich state since 1999.

The mass defection sent shockwaves through the PDP’s national leadership, triggering urgent meetings and consultations as the opposition party grapples with the loss of one of its traditional strongholds.

Okowa explained that the move was necessary to secure better opportunities and greater political influence for Delta State, emphasizing the importance of being in sync with the federal government to drive development and attract investments.

Okowa, who was the PDP Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, said the defection was necessary to connect the state to the goodwill and resources in the Federal Capital Territory.

He said, “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.

“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 described the defection of Delta political leaders to the APC as patriotic and strategic, saying Delta lost a lot during his tenure because the state was in opposition.

“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 ex-governor said.

Therefore, he called on Deltans who are already in the APC to embrace and work with them to make the ruling party dominant in the state.

While calling for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Okowa said it’s time for the people of Delta State to stand strong in support of President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.