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.