Ex-Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said he regretted his decision to run as the vice-presidential candidate alongside Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election, admitting that it contradicted the zoning and wishes of his people.

Speaking on Arise Television, Okowa described his acceptance of the role as a misalignment with the prevailing sentiments in Delta State — an issue he said he has deeply reflected upon.

He said, “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.”

He also fired back at former Senate President Bukola Saraki for criticising his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okowa, former presidential running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the PDP in the 2023 general elections, said that Saraki lacks the moral standing to comment on or criticise his defection.

“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 said.

“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.”

Okowa explained that the decision to defect was not taken lightly and was a collective resolution by key political figures in Delta State.

He said it was necessitated 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, 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.”
He further pointed to the PDP governors’ resistance to forming a coalition and the ongoing leadership crisis as clear signs that the opposition party is not prepared for serious political competition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has summoned its National Working Committee (NWC) for an urgent gathering on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Abuja. The emergency meeting comes in the wake of a string of high-ranking defections that threaten to weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Over the past fortnight, the PDP has lost several key figures in rapid succession:

Ifeanyi Okowa, former vice-presidential candidate.
Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State, alongside the entire PDP leadership in that state.
Oluwole Oke, five-term member of the House of Representatives from Osun State.

Delta State—once a PDP stronghold—has now seen its governors, senators and local council chairpersons decamp to rival parties. Political analysts warn that the party’s diminished numbers in the National Assembly could undermine its legislative influence and funding streams.

According to an exclusive copy of the invitation obtained by The PUNCH, acting National Secretary Setonji Koshoedo has formally requested all NWC members and cabinet secretaries to attend:

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Time: 12:00 noon (prompt)
Venue: NWC Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja

The agenda encompasses:

Analysis of recent defections and identification of root causes
Recommendations from the PDP Governors Forum
Preparation for upcoming Congresses and the National Elective Convention
Strategic repositioning in anticipation of the 2027 polls

A senior party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, emphasized that halting the exodus will require both political incentives and stronger internal discipline.

The PDP’s leadership vacuum has exacerbated the crisis. Since former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu stepped down, factions have clashed over his successor:

Umar Damagum, Acting National Chairman, has faced criticism for failing to prevent defections.
Setonji Koshoedo, appointed National Secretary by the Governors Forum, issued the emergency meeting notice.
Senator Samuel Anyanwu, reinstated as National Secretary by the Supreme Court on March 21, 2025, insists he will attend and insists judicial intervention in internal disputes was inappropriate.

“We will do our best to ensure that peace reigns in the PDP and that the party is preserved,” Anyanwu stated, pledging cooperation despite ongoing tussles.

Observers note that unresolved disputes over the Secretary position have paralyzed decision-making and weakened the party’s ability to present a united front.

Sources say the NWC will consider several counter-defection strategies:

Re-engagement tours for disaffected governors and lawmakers
Incentive packages—including committee appointments and funding guarantees
Conflict-resolution committees to address local grievances
Strengthened anti-defection clauses in the party constitution

One NWC official admitted, “There is nothing the PDP can do to stop those determined to leave—unless you can meet all their demands or shield them from anti-graft probes.” Nonetheless, party strategists hope a blend of carrots and sticks will slow the bleeding.

The PDP’s ability to retain its traditional bases in the South-South and South-West will be critical. Key considerations include:

Legislative strength: Loss of National Assembly seats may cost the PDP influence over budget and appointments.
State government control: Defections in Delta State could embolden rival parties in other southern states.
National unity: Prolonged leadership disputes risk alienating grassroots members and donors.

Political analyst Dr. Ifedayo Ogunleye says, “The PDP must demonstrate internal cohesion before it can credibly challenge for the presidency in 2027. Otherwise, it risks ceding ground to a more unified opposition.”

With the emergency NWC meeting set for April 29, all eyes will be on which strategies the PDP adopts to plug the leaks. Key outcomes to watch:

Reconciliation initiatives led by senior party elders
Official response to the Supreme Court’s National Secretary ruling
Concrete plans for the 2025 Congresses and 2026 National Executive Convention
Messaging discipline to reassure the electorate and investors

As the clock ticks towards 2027 polls, the PDP’s survival—and its prospects of reclaiming power—hinge on swift, decisive action at Tuesday’s session. Failure to stem the tide of defections may consign the party to opposition status for the foreseeable future.

Many supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party have defected to the All Progressives Congress in Jigawa State.

Speaking on defection during the 6th edition of the Government and Citizens Engagement programme held on Sunday at Buji Local Government Area, Governor Umar Namadi welcomed the defectors, expressing his delight at the growing support for the APC in the state.

Recall that the “Government and Citizens Engagement” is a platform introduced by the state government to enable citizens to interact with government officials, express their concerns and also provide an opportunity for government officials to showcase their achievements and plans for the state.

Namadi said, “We are happy to welcome our new members to the APC family,

“This defection is a testament to the good work we are doing in Jigawa State, and we will continue to work towards the development of our state.”

Namadi, therefore, assured the decampees of fairness, equity, and inclusivity within the party and promised to carry them along with other members, reiterating that “Your voices will continue to be heard, respected, and valued.”

“We will ensure that everyone is treated equally and allowed to contribute to the party’s growth and development,” he assured.

The governor, however, urged the new members to continue supporting his administration with constructive advice and to spread the good news of the party’s vision and mission to their communities.

He told the decampees that “Your coming will help build a stronger, more united party that can deliver on its promises to the people of Jigawa State.

“We need your support and good counsel to drive our development agenda forward, and together, we can achieve great things and take Jigawa State to new heights.”

Earlier, the defectors who were led by Idris Maikura, Unguwar Maina, Chirbun ward, expressed their reasons for joining the APC.

“We have seen the good work being done by Governor Umar Namadi, and we believe that the APC is the best platform to achieve our development goals.

“We are confident that the APC will take Jigawa State to the next level, and we are excited to be part of it, he said.

The defection has sparked reactions from various quarters, with the PDP state Chairman, Ali Diginsa, expressing disappointment. When contacted via telephone by our correspondent.

Dinginsa Musa said, “We are not surprised, but we are disappointed. These individuals have abandoned the PDP for personal gains, and we will not miss them.”

Efforts to speak to the leader of the NNPP in the state, Aminu Ringim, proved abortive, as his phone line was not available despite several call attempts by our correspondent.