I’m surprised the PDP didn’t see it coming,I warned them. I said the way things are going, something like this would happen. Okowa made a principled choice rather than pretending
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commended former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as both strategic and courageous.
Speaking during a media interaction in Abuja on Monday, Wike lauded Okowa’s decision as a clear demonstration of political conviction and integrity. He contrasted Okowa’s action with what he termed the duplicity of politicians who publicly profess loyalty to one party while secretly aligning with another.
“I’m surprised the PDP didn’t see it coming,” Wike said. “I warned them. I said the way things are going, something like this would happen. Okowa made a principled choice rather than pretending.”
Wike criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership for failing to recognize internal dissatisfaction and address it effectively. He accused the party of poor management and ignoring visible signs of discontent among its ranks.
He also questioned the selective outrage within the party, referencing the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman’s endorsement of Labour Party Governor Alex Otti of Abia State. According to Wike, while Okowa’s support for President Bola Tinubu attracted criticism, similar actions by others within the PDP had gone unchallenged.
“Okowa said he would support the President, is that a crime?” Wike asked. “But the BoT Chairman supported a Labour Party governor’s re-election, and no one raised a voice. Okowa was simply being honest. That’s what makes him a smart politician.”
A vocal critic of the PDP leadership, Wike reiterated that the party’s ongoing challenges stem from its lack of vision and internal cohesion. He warned that unless the PDP addresses these issues, more defections are likely.
“The absence of strong leadership comes with consequences,” he asserted. “Okowa’s exit, along with that of his deputy and political allies, reflects a broader wave of dissatisfaction within the party.”
Okowa’s defection is seen as part of a larger realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, signaling deeper fractures within the PDP and a potential shift in political dynamics across the South-South region.
