Okowa Says His Vice Presidency’s Bid With Atiku In 2023 Was A Misalignment

Former Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has expressed regret over his vice-presidential candidacy alongside Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential race, acknowledging that it went against the zoning principles and the preferences of the South-South.

In an interview with Arise Television, Okowa remarked on the disconnect he felt with the sentiments in Delta State, stating, “Even when we were campaigning, I realized our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.”

He added that though the decision had been made at the federal level and he had accepted the nomination, in hindsight, he believes he should have aligned himself with the wishes of his people.

Hear him, “Even when we were campaigning, I realised 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 (PDP) and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”

The former running mate to Atiku responded to criticisms from former Senate President Bukola Saraki regarding his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okowa rebuffed Saraki’s comments, insisting that Saraki lacks the moral authority to criticize him, given his own political movements.

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“I did not expect that someone like Senator Bukola Saraki should be able to speak concerning me, because he knows that he had also moved to APC before and eventually returned,” Okowa stated.

“So he has had movement to and fro. So, I don’t think that he has the moral right to even speak about my defection at all.”

He emphasized that his decision to defect was made thoughtfully, involving key political figures in Delta State, and was motivated by ongoing internal challenges 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, as stakeholders, our leaders in this state have sat down to look at the events in the last several months,” Okowa noted.

“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,” Okowa explained.

He also noted that the resistance among PDP governors to form coalitions and the current leadership turmoil indicate the party’s unpreparedness for the forthcoming 2027 elections.

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**Suggested Headlines:**
1. “Okowa Calls 2023 Vice Presidency a Mistake, Prioritizes Delta State Sentiments”
2. “Former Delta Governor Okowa Reflects on Misalignment with His People in 2023 Election”
3. “Okowa Defends APC Move, Critiques Saraki’s Comments on His Defection”
4. “Delta’s Okowa Regrets Pairing with Atiku, Questions PDP’s Future Amid Internal Crises”