Okowa fires back at Saraki over defection criticism

Former Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has responded firmly to former Senate President Bukola Saraki’s criticism regarding his recent transition from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okowa asserts that Saraki lacks the “moral right” to comment on his decision, given his own history of party switching.

Okowa, who was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election, officially joined the APC this week, along with current Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other significant political figures.

The defection was marked by a ceremony in Asaba, following earlier discussions that took place last Wednesday.

In response to Saraki’s remarks about the move being “shocking and unbecoming,” Okowa highlighted that Saraki himself defected to the APC in 2014 before returning to the PDP in 2018.

“I didn’t expect that somebody like Senator Bukola Saraki would be able to speak concerning me because he had also moved to APC before,” Okowa stated during an interview on Arise News Channel.

He emphasized that his decision to join the APC was a collective resolution made by his political base, dismissing suggestions that it was motivated by fear of prosecution or a desire to avoid accountability.

Okowa firmly stated, “In the first instance, there are no sins to be forgiven because no sins were committed.”

Addressing rumors of his potential arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Okowa clarified, “I was not arrested by the EFCC… I’m not afraid to be investigated.” He reassured the public that his tenure was defined by work done for the people of Delta State.

Okowa’s departure from the PDP adds to a series of significant exits from the party, reflecting ongoing internal divisions and a changing political environment as the next election cycle approaches.

Source: LEADERSHIP