Defection: Okowa hints at regretting his decision to accept to run with Atiku in 2023

 Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has hinted at regretting his decision to run as vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

During an interview on Arise Television on Monday, April 29, Okowa described his acceptance of the role as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State, an issue he said he has deeply reflected upon.

 

While defending his record in office, Okowa acknowledged that joining Atiku’s ticket in 2023 came at a significant political cost.3   

“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 declared.

 

He linked the PDP’s failure in Delta during the presidential poll to that sentiment, acknowledging that while he ran out of loyalty to his party, the south was interested in producing President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor.

 

However, Okowa was quick to point out that the tide turned just three weeks later in the governorship election, where PDP triumphed in 21 out of the 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 said

 

On insinuations that his defection was to have his ‘sins forgiven,’ Okowa maintained that there were no sins to be given as he had not committed any, adding that he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) but only honoured an invitation by 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 perse.”Political party merchandise''he said

 

Addressing the moral arguments against his defection to the APC, after serving in multiple positions under PDP, Okowa said 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 said.