The former Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, has clarified that his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by the need to strengthen the state’s connection with the Federal Government in Abuja.
Okowa, along with his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and several key members of his cabinet, made the significant move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC last week. This defection sent ripples through the political landscape, particularly unsettling the national leadership of the PDP. The switch was a major loss for the opposition party, which had governed the oil-rich state since 1999.
Speaking at the APC’s welcome ceremony for the defectors on Monday, Okowa emphasized that the change in political allegiance was in the best interest of Delta State. Noting the strategic importance of aligning with the ruling party, he explained that the defection was essential to ensuring the state’s better access to the resources and goodwill available in the nation’s capital.
“When the news broke on Wednesday that we had decided to change our path, people wondered why, but one thing is very important in a people’s history: there is always a time to change their path for the common good of the people,” Okowa said. “As I did tell people that day, it was not about me, it was not about the governor, but the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that’s in Abuja of which Delta State is a large contributor, there was a need to connect to it.”
Okowa went on to discuss the challenges Delta State faced during his time in office as a member of the opposition. He highlighted that despite his efforts, the state suffered from being disconnected from the federal government, which he believes hindered the state’s progress.
“I was governor for eight years. I was in opposition. I did my best but we lost a lot. And I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard, and we know that we are very supportive of Governor Sheriff because he’s doing a lot. But 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,” he remarked.
The former governor called for all Deltans who are already in the APC to unite and work together to strengthen the party’s presence in the state. He also urged support for the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stressing that it was time for the people of Delta to stand firmly behind both the president and Governor Oborevwori in their quest to bring about positive change for the state.
