Defection: “A Man Who Couldn’t Win His State as VP Candidate” – Former PDP Legal Adviser Slams Okowa

Jacob Mark, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed the significance of Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming it will not create any major impact within the opposition. Mark argued that Okowa, despite being the party’s vice-presidential candidate in 2023, failed to deliver his home state of Delta to the PDP. He questioned the potential political advantage of the former governor’s shift to the APC.

Speaking on Arise, Mark pointed out that Okowa’s inability to secure Delta State for the PDP in the 2023 elections raises doubts about the impact his defection could have. “If Okowa could not deliver his state as running mate to Atiku Abubakar, it is hard to understand what kind of tsunami his defection could cause the PDP,” Mark said.

Earlier this week, Okowa, alongside Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, National Assembly members, state assembly members, and local government chairmen from the state, joined the ruling APC. Despite the significant nature of a sitting governor switching parties, Mark downplayed its importance, stating that while such a move is notable, it does not necessarily signal a political earthquake.

Mark emphasized that while the defection is a major event, it does not guarantee success for the APC. He questioned the level of political control Okowa holds, noting that Delta State voters have consistently demonstrated the ability to make independent electoral decisions, often against the wishes of politicians or governors. He argued that the real test would be whether Okowa’s move to the APC will sway the electorate, considering he failed to inspire voters in his own state even when it was poised to have a vice president from there.

Mark also highlighted that defections in Nigerian politics are often driven by individual interests rather than a genuine reflection of the electorate’s wishes. He explained that many political figures switch parties for personal gain, such as securing appointments or negotiating undisclosed benefits, rather than out of loyalty to any particular political ideology. “We are not operating based on any ideology. All political parties in Nigeria are the same, and that’s why people switch parties at will,” he said.