Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, says
he regrets accepting to run as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2023
presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Okowa said the decision went
against the wishes of many in Delta State, who preferred a southern president
after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure.
“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in
having another northerner come into power,” he said. “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.”
Okowa linked the PDP’s poor performance in Delta during the presidential
election to that sentiment. Labour Party candidate Peter Obi won the state with
over 341,000 votes, while the PDP came second with 161,600.
However, Okowa noted that the PDP still won the governorship election three
weeks later, showing continued support for him and his candidate, Sheriff
Oborevwori.
“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.
Okowa recently left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside
other leaders from Delta State. He said the move followed wide consultations
and was not aimed at avoiding prosecution or “seeking forgiveness.”
“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,” he said. “So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have
never spoken to Adams Oshiomhole; we talked for the first time only yesterday.”
He added that staying in opposition politics had limited Delta State’s access
to federal resources and influence.
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