Former Delta State Governor and 2023 vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, has fired back at former Senate President Bukola Saraki over remarks criticising his recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC)
Speaking during a live interview on Arise News, Mr Okowa described Mr Saraki’s comments as both “improper” and ironic, pointing to the former Senate President’s history of political party switches.
“I did not see Senator Saraki’s speech, but I heard what he said,” Mr Okowa said. “We Deltans see ourselves as one big political family. Staying loyal to that family is important when decisions are made collectively.”
Saraki had reportedly described Okowa’s move to the APC as “low-level politics,” a description Okowa rejected, saying Saraki lacked the moral authority to make such remarks.
“In the past, he has done things like this. I don’t think he has the authority to condemn my decision to leave,” Okowa said. “Although I would rather not say it, this is the truth.”
He stressed that his defection was not impulsive, but a product of growing dissatisfaction among key political actors in Delta State. According to him, months of unresolved issues within the PDP made it clear the party was no longer viable for him and others in the state.
“We were once PDP members, but there have been too many problems for us to remain,” he said. “We watched anxiously as state officials. The PDP appeared to be an unsuitable choice for us.”
Okowa’s defection has sparked renewed political debate, especially with early alignments and positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
