Okowa Defends Defection To APC, Endorses Tinubu For Full 8-Year Tenure, Rebukes Saraki, Denies EFCC Arrest

Former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has formally declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to complete a full eight-year term, urging Nigerians to rally behind the current administration until 2031 for the sake of national stability and continuity.

In a revealing interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Okowa also confirmed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing strategic reasons rooted in political survival and development for Delta State. He was joined in the defection by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key stakeholders in the state’s political landscape.

Okowa stated that his support for Tinubu’s continued leadership was based on principle, not partisanship.

“For the stability of this nation, I believe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was elected in 2023, should be allowed to complete his eight-year tenure. After that, the presidency can return to the North. That is the right thing to do,” Okowa said.

Shedding light on the mass defection, Okowa criticized the internal state of the PDP, describing it as “unprepared” for the 2027 general elections. He noted ongoing leadership disputes, unresolved legal battles, and a general lack of direction within the party as key factors that influenced the move.

“Our political family in Delta reviewed the recent events in the PDP and concluded that it no longer appears to be a competitive vehicle for 2027. We held several consultations, even beyond politicians, and arrived at this decision in the interest of our people,” he said.

He emphasized that Delta State’s eight-year stint under PDP opposition leadership hindered access to federal resources, and aligning with the ruling party was now essential to attract investment and development opportunities.

Responding to former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s criticism—who called Okowa’s defection “shocking” and “unbecoming”—Okowa dismissed Saraki’s comments as hypocritical.

“I didn’t expect someone like Senator Bukola Saraki to comment about me. He himself defected to the APC and returned to the PDP. He lacks the moral standing to speak about my defection,” Okowa said.

He further stressed that the decision to switch parties was not his alone, but a collective move made in consultation with top Delta political stakeholders.

Amid swirling reports about an alleged arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okowa set the record straight.

“I was not arrested by the EFCC. A communication was sent to me while I was overseas. Upon my return, I voluntarily visited the Commission to respond to their query. I have committed no offense that requires forgiveness, and I am not afraid of investigation because I served Deltans with integrity,” he clarified.