Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Delta state, says he regrets accepting to run as vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections.
Okowa said the decision, made at the federal level by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), went against the sentiments of his people.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, the former governor said he has deeply reflected on the consequences of that choice.
“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power,” he said.
“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”
He admitted that the south was interested in producing a successor to President Muhammadu Buhari, but the PDP’s leadership opted otherwise.
Okowa said the backlash from that decision contributed to the party’s loss during the presidential poll in Delta state.
He added that despite the setback, the PDP bounced back to win 21 out of 25 local government areas during the governorship election held three weeks later.
“That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me,” he said.
“They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen. And they did.”
He defended his record as governor, pointing to infrastructure projects and free maternal and child healthcare as key achievements.
Okowa also expressed confidence in the performance of his successor, Sheriff Oborevwori.
On allegations linking his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with attempts to evade corruption charges, Okowa said there was no wrongdoing to be forgiven.
“I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC. So, there are no fears concerning that at all,” he said.
He said he was never arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but only honoured an invitation.
The former senator denied claims that he sought forgiveness from APC leaders like Adams Oshiomhole.
“I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole; we talked for the first time only yesterday because we are of different political parts and because we are of different political parts we were not friends per se,” he said.
He said his decision to join APC was based on widespread consultation in Delta.
According to him, staying in the opposition had left the state disadvantaged in terms of federal access and political influence.
Addressing the backlash over his defection after building a political career in the PDP, Okowa said he owes no one an apology.
“Yes, I was a key player in the PDP from the formative stages, but the PDP of today is not the same party we built in 1998,” he said.
“When you find that the values and vision you once believed in are no longer there, then you step away.”
Earlier, Okowa said President Bola Tinubu should be allowedto complete eight years in office.
“For the stability of this nation, I also do believe that, yes, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was elected president in 2023, and for the stability of Nigeria, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure, then the presidency can move back to the north,” he said.