By OBSERVERS TIMES
Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has expressed regret over his decision to run as the vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election, acknowledging that it contradicted the zoning and wishes of his constituents.
In an interview on Arise Television, Okowa reflected on his acceptance of the role, describing it as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State. He stated, “Even when we were campaigning, I realized our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power. 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.”
He elaborated on his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), emphasizing that the decision was not made lightly. Okowa explained that it was a collective resolution by key political figures in Delta State, driven by internal crises and a lack of strategic direction within the PDP.
“Several things have been going on in the party. While I do not want to join issues with people, our leaders in this state have sat down to look at the events in the last several months. Because of the events that we see and the communications coming out from the leadership of the PDP at the moment, it did not appear to us that that was a proper political vehicle for us to continue in,” he noted.
Okowa also highlighted the resistance from PDP governors to form a coalition and the ongoing leadership crisis as clear indicators that the opposition party is not prepared for serious political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
