Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta State, has given an explanation for his and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Okowa stated that the decision was made with the best interests of Delta State and its citizens in mind during a ceremony on Monday where they were formally admitted into the APC at the Cenotaph in Asaba.
“People questioned why, but one thing is crucial: in a people’s history, there is always a moment to alter one’s course for the benefit of the majority, and every choice we made was founded on that common good and the necessity of altering our course for the benefit of our state,” he stated.
Okowa said the action was required so Delta State could take advantage of the resources and goodwill in Abuja and improve its relationship with the federal government.
As I told people that day (when I defected), it was not about me or the governor, but rather the necessity for us to establish a connection with Abuja,” he said.
There was a need to establish a connection with the goodwill and resource that are present in Abuja, of which Delta State contributes significantly.
“I was governor for eight years; I was in opposition. I did my best, but we lost a lot, and I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard without the needed support. We are very supportive of Governor Sheriff because he’s doing a lot, but as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power, resources, and goodwill in Abuja. When we sat down after stakeholders’ meetings, we thought it was necessary to make this move.”
He described the decision as “bold, strategic, patriotic, and well-intentioned.”
He urged party members to unite and work together, saying the defection would strengthen the APC in Delta.
“We must defend our state. Our state stands far beyond us, and I believe that this decision is in the best interest of all. It is time for us to embrace each other — our brothers and sisters who were already in the APC and those of us that have come into the family. We need to embrace each other and work with oneness of heart.
“It is time for us to stand together in great support for Mr President and Mr Governor, because together we can truly dominate the politics in Delta State. I believe there will be no other party, with this move that we have made.”
Oborevwori, Okowa, and all members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State announced their defection to the APC last week.
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