“You Lack Moral Right to Criticise My Defection” — Okowa Fires Back at Saraki

Former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has responded to criticism from former Senate President Bukola Saraki regarding his recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that Saraki lacks the moral authority to comment on the matter. Speaking on Arise Television’s *The Morning Show*, Okowa described Saraki’s comments as hypocritical, pointing out that Saraki had previously defected from the PDP to the APC and later returned to the PDP.

“I did not expect that someone like Senator Bukola Saraki would comment about me,” Okowa said. “He has also moved to the APC before and eventually returned. So he has had movements to and fro. I don’t think he has the moral right to speak about my defection.”

Saraki had earlier described Okowa’s switch to the APC as “shocking” and “unprecedented,” especially given Okowa’s role as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general election. In response, Okowa said the decision to leave the PDP was not made unilaterally but was a collective choice by political stakeholders in Delta State, including current Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several party leaders.

Okowa cited internal issues within the PDP and what he described as a lack of readiness by the party to present a united front ahead of the 2027 elections. He noted that attempts to encourage coalition-building within the PDP were ignored, further justifying the move to the APC. “Our leaders in this state have reviewed recent events and communications from the PDP leadership, and it became clear to us that the party is no longer the right political vehicle for Delta State ahead of 2027,” he stated.