Former Delta State Governor and PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said he left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because the party is not prepared for the 2027 general elections.
Okowa made the statement during an interview, days after he and other Delta State political leaders defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection has stirred debates across Nigeria’s political space.
Okowa said, “The PDP doesn’t appear ready to compete in the 2027 elections. With the way things are going, the party is not ready for alliances or coalitions, and that’s worrying.”
He said his decision to leave was taken with his political group in Delta State.
“I have to go with my political family because without that family I have no politics to play,” he added.
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Okowa also responded to criticism from former Senate President Bukola Saraki over his defection.
He said, “I didn’t expect someone like Saraki to speak about me. He moved to the APC and returned before, so I don’t think he has the moral right to question my decision.”
The former governor pointed out several problems within the PDP, including unresolved court cases and confusion over party leadership.
Okowa said, “It does not appear to us that the PDP is the right political vehicle to continue with.”
Speaking on his relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Okowa revealed that he informed Atiku about the plan to hold a stakeholders’ meeting, which later led to their decision to leave the PDP.
He said, “I told him we were going to have a leadership meeting and that the outcome would determine our next move. From the messages he sent to me, I also know that he is on his way out of the PDP, and many Nigerians are aware of that.”