In a political earthquake that has stunned the nation, former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP Vice-Presidential candidate, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the entire PDP structure in the State.
The mass defection was confirmed on Wednesday after an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Asaba, signalling a dramatic shift in Delta’s political landscape.
Speaking on the development, Senator James Manager made it clear that the exodus was total: “All PDP members in the state, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the State Party Chairman, all Local Government Chairmen, and others, have agreed to move to the APC. We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat.”
Ahead of the official announcement, a video surfaced online showing Dr. Okowa addressing his supporters in his native dialect.
In the clip, he assured them of choosing what he described as “the best path forward,” saying, “Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction. We will take the best direction, the best path for our people.”
Watch the video below;
“Be assured that we will not go in the wrong direction; we will take the best direction, the best path for our people.” – Former Delta State Gov Ifeanyi Okowa has communicated with his constituents that he is moving to the APC
pic.twitter.com/BWYPziRM9B— Emma ik Umeh (Tcee )
(@emmaikumeh) April 23, 2025
Meanwhile, a confidant of Atiku Abubakar speaking to MJConcept TV News disclosed that the Okowa defection was not unexpected given what he claimed as the pressure on the former Governor from the Federal Authorities.
The Atiku confidant while playing down the significance of the decision said that Okowa as an incumbent Governor did not help the ticket to win the State in the Presidential election.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to Atiku on Public Communication, Prank Shaibu in a cryptic post on X said:
From critics of the choir to lead singers overnight—what a miraculous political conversion!
— phrank Shaibu (@phrankangel) April 23, 2025