Former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori say their move from the PDP to the APC was a bold step to secure Delta’s future through stronger federal connections

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]ormer Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as a bold and strategic step for the future of Delta State.

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Speaking at a ceremony held at the Cenotaph in Asaba on Monday, where they were formally welcomed into the APC, Okowa said the decision was made after careful deliberation and in the best interest of the people of Delta State.

“People wondered why, but one thing is very important: in the history of a people there is always a time to change their path for the common good of the people, and whatever decision we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state,” Okowa stated.

Highlighting the need for a stronger connection with the federal government, Okowa pointed out that Delta State could significantly benefit from the resources and goodwill available in Abuja.

“As I did tell people that day (when I defected), it was not about me; it was not about the governor, but about the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja.

That goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja, of which Delta State is a large contributor there was a need to connect to it,” he explained.

There is always a time to change path for the common good, and this decision was made to better connect Delta State to the resources and goodwill of Abuja.” — Ifeanyi Okowa

Reflecting on his time as a governor in opposition, Okowa admitted that despite doing his best, Delta State missed out on many opportunities due to its political positioning.

He emphasized that the new alignment would enable Governor Oborevwori to maximize his efforts in developing the state with the full support of the federal government.

Describing the decision as “bold, strategic, patriotic, and well-intentioned,” Okowa called on all APC members, both old and new, to embrace unity and work together to strengthen the party’s dominance in Delta State.

“We must defend our state. Our state stands far beyond us, and I believe that this decision is in the best interest of all.

It is time for us to embrace each other our brothers and sisters who were already in the APC and those of us that have come into the family. We need to embrace each other and work with oneness of heart,” he said.

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He concluded by stressing the importance of collective support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori, asserting that with unity, the APC could become the only dominant party in Delta State.