Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has disclosed that ex-Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, is preparing to leave the party.
In an interview on ARISE TV on Tuesday, Okowa also announced his own defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other prominent PDP leaders in the state.
He attributed their departure to prolonged dissatisfaction and months of consultations over the PDP’s direction.
“I had a conversation with Atiku before we made our move he’s on his way out of the PDP,” Okowa revealed, adding to growing speculation about Atiku’s next political steps.
Okowa criticized the proposed opposition coalition led by Atiku, calling it disorganized, unfocused, and incapable of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling party.
“There’s no coherent structure or strategy in place. The timeframe is too short to build anything substantial,” he remarked.
Backing President Bola Tinubu for a second term, Okowa emphasized the importance of completing an eight-year presidential cycle to maintain Nigeria’s power rotation tradition and political stability.
“For the sake of national unity, Tinubu should complete his eight years. After that, power can return to the North,” he stated.
Citing ongoing leadership crises, internal divisions, and electoral setbacks within the PDP, Okowa said the decision to defect was based on a broad consensus among Delta’s political leaders and stakeholders.
“It wasn’t a personal decision. We engaged in wide consultations, including with non-partisan figures. The consensus was clear across Delta’s political space,” he said.
Reflecting on his years as an opposition governor, Okowa noted that being out of alignment with the federal government hindered the state’s access to vital resources and development opportunities.
“We lost out on many benefits from Abuja. This realignment is about connecting Delta to the center and bringing real investment to the state,” he explained.
Responding to criticism from former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Okowa was blunt: “Saraki has no moral standing to speak. He’s jumped parties more times than anyone else.”
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