Okowa Describes His Defection to APC as a Strategic Move

A former governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elect...

A former governor of Delta State and vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has described his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as a bold and strategic move.

Okowa said he and his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, dumped the PDP to connect Delta State with the APC-led government in Abuja in order to attract benefits to the state.

Okowa spoke in Asaba on Monday during a rally organised by the APC to welcome him and Oborevwori to the party. The rally was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the party National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and other APC bigwigs.

“Today, obviously, is a great day for us in Delta state. When the news broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of April, 2025, that we have decided to change our path, people wondered why.

“But one thing is very important. In the history of a people, 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 the need for us to connect to Abuja. That goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja, of which Delta state is a large contributor, there was a need to connect to it,” Okowa said.

Okowa, a two-term governor under PDP, said Delta State lost a lot because he was in opposition, hence the need to connect the state with the centre.

“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. And when we sat down after a stakeholders meeting, we thought that it was necessary to make this move.

“This move is bold. It is strategic. It is patriotic and it is well-intentioned. That decision that our governor took, that we needed to move after consultation with the leaders of the party, which was cascaded down to the local governments and the world, is the best interest for our state,” he added.

Okowa called for support for President Bola Tinubu and Oborevwori, noting that “it is time for us to stand together in great support for Mr President and Mr Governor. Because together, we can truly dominate the politics in Delta state.”