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| Okowa opens up on 2023 VP regret |
A former Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, said he now regrets being the running mate to Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 race. He spoke on Arise TV’s Morning Show this April. Okowa said his choice went against the will of his people.
Okowa noted that many in Delta and the wider South felt uneasy about another northerner after President Buhari’s two terms. He said campaign trails made that clear. He paused to weigh his state’s voice. “I should have gone with the will of my people,” he said.
In Delta’s 2023 vote, Peter Obi of the Labour Party topped the state. Obi scored 341,866 votes, while the PDP ticket underperformed with 161,600 votes. APC’s Bola Tinubu trailed with about 90,183 votes. Total votes cast were 654,650, with 39,309 rejected ballots.
That gap showed local discontent with the PDP’s choice of a Northern running mate. Yet, the PDP later won the state’s governorship with Sheriff Oborevwori. Okowa saw that win as proof of lasting trust in his leadership.
Days after his TV admission, Okowa formally joined the ruling APC with Oborevwori. He called it a strategic move to link Delta directly with federal power in Abuja. He said his time in opposition limited state access to national resources.
At the APC welcome, Okowa stressed that the defection was not about personal gain. He said it was for the “common good” of Deltans. He urged party members to unite under the new banner for better state projects.
Some PDP loyalists called the move opportunistic. They said it risked the party’s 26-year hold on Delta. Analysts warned that frequent shifts can erode voter trust. Yet supporters argued that access to Abuja’s purse is key for state growth.
For balance, Atiku Abubakar insisted he has no regret choosing Okowa over other contenders like Nyesom Wike. Atiku said party committees ranked Okowa highest and he followed that advice. He said character and unity matter most in a ticket.
Wike’s camp fired back. His media aide vowed to work against Atiku’s 2027 bid. They argued that Wike had broader popular support during the primaries, with more committee votes. Atiku’s office countered that final choice rests with the flagbearer.
Political experts say Okowa’s frank regret marks a rare public shift. Nigerian politicians seldom admit missteps. His words may boost his image as honest and grounded. But they may also revive debates on regional balance in top tickets.
Going forward, Okowa aims to use his APC ties to speed up roads, schools, and health projects. He said state voices must be heard in Abuja budget talks. He vowed to push for fair resource allocation.
Asked if he fears petitions or probes, Okowa said citizens can always write in. He showed no fear of new complaints. He said full transparency and good records will shield him from baseless claims.
Analysts note sharp youth turnout for Obi in 2023. They say a repeat of that trend could hamper APC’s hold. Okowa’s challenge is to win back young voters with tangible progress. He must bridge trust gaps fast.
In the South, calls grow for party leaders to pick running mates from different zones. Experts say national unity needs more mixed tickets. They warn against polarizing picks that stir old regional wounds.
As 2027 nears, these debates will shape voter choices. Okowa’s regret may fuel wider talk on ticket balance. His move shows how a single statement can shift national discourse.
Okowa’s candid words on TV may inspire more leaders to listen to local voices. He set a new tone for political honesty. But only real actions in Delta will prove if regret can turn into growth.