Abuja, Nigeria — April 24, 2025
In a political development that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria’s political landscape, former Delta State Governor and 2023 Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okowa announced his defection on Thursday during a closed-door meeting with top APC leaders at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja. The move comes after months of speculation regarding his political future following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking shortly after his registration as a member of the APC, Okowa said his decision was driven by a desire to contribute more effectively to national development and support President Bola Tinubu’s economic and political reform agenda.
“This is not about personal ambition but about aligning with a vision that I believe has the potential to transform Nigeria,” Okowa stated. “I am convinced that the APC, under President Tinubu, offers a more pragmatic path for sustainable progress.”
Welcoming him to the party, APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, described Okowa’s defection as a major boost to the party’s strength in the South-South region.
“Dr. Okowa is a respected leader and a seasoned administrator. His decision to join us is a testament to the growing confidence in the APC’s leadership and vision,” Ganduje said.
Reactions have poured in from across the political spectrum. While some APC leaders hailed the defection as a “strategic realignment,” PDP members in Delta State expressed disappointment, describing it as a betrayal of the party’s trust.
Okowa served as Governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023 and was the PDP’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, which saw the party lose to the APC. His defection marks one of the most high-profile political shifts since the 2023 general elections.
Political analysts say the move could alter the balance of power ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
