Okowa Defects to APC, Praises Tinubu's Governance

Former Delta State governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing his conviction in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's governance trajectory. Okowa made this announcement at a massive APC presidential campaign gathering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He directly addressed his political transition, stating that he has "seen the light" in Tinubu's governance.

Okowa emphasized that national interest must supersede partisan loyalty. He stated that his move to join forces with the ruling party stemmed from his conviction that the current administration is making the tough, structural decisions needed to repair decades of economic decay. Okowa confronted his past political alignment, adding that he has long ago crossed to the APC to join hands with President Tinubu because he is truly building a new Nigeria.

Okowa pegged his endorsement on the administration's structural economic reset. He contended that previous political leadership had undermined the nation's foundation through populist but fiscally irresponsible policies like the petroleum subsidy regime. Okowa emphasized that when the foundation is broken, you cannot do anything. He added that President Tinubu realizes that successive administrations have broken the foundations of Nigeria and is working to put it right.

The former governor argued that the tangible benefits of federal fiscal reforms, particularly the enhanced revenue allocations to sub-national entities, validate his decision to defect and align with the APC. Okowa stated that states and local governments are doing well because President Tinubu has continued to mobilize resources for various states and local governments. He added that they no longer talk about people owing salaries or pensioners.

Okowa highlighted key social investments, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), as a defining reason why youth across the Niger Delta region should reject opposition calls to reverse current reforms. He added that President Tinubu is a man who understands that children need a future and is working to ensure that students can complete their university education without financial strain through NELFUND.

Okowa took a direct swipe at opposition figures campaigning on promises to reinstate fuel subsidies, labelling such promises a regression into economic decay. He warned that those who have led Nigeria in the past have continued to destroy the foundation of Nigeria through the so-called subsidy regime. Okowa appealed to voters across the South-South region to rally behind President Tinubu's re-election bid to solidify the nation's developmental gains.

Okowa called on voters to secure victory on election day, declaring that a new Nigeria is being born, which will ensure security for the future of young ones. He urged voters to be patient, adding that it is working, and a new Nigeria will ensure a sustainable future. Okowa concluded by appealing to God to bless all of them as they come back to work for President Tinubu.

Key points

• Okowa cites conviction in Tinubu's governance trajectory as reason for defection to APC.
• Okowa emphasizes that national interest must supersede partisan loyalty.
• Okowa labels opposition promises to reinstate fuel subsidies as a regression into economic decay.