2027: Okowa Reveals Atiku’s Next Move

Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will soon leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okowa made this disclosure during an interview on ARISE TV on Tuesday.

Okowa, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other key PDP stakeholders in Delta State, explained that the decision was taken after months of consultations and growing disillusionment with the state of the PDP.

“I discussed the coalition with Atiku, who is on his way out of the PDP, before we moved to the APC,” Okowa stated, confirming rumors about Atiku’s potential exit from the party. Okowa also distanced himself from the proposed grand opposition coalition led by Atiku, citing lack of clarity, structure, and urgency.

“It does not seem that a viable vehicle has been confirmed for that coalition, nor does it appear that a coalition could build strength in such a short period,” he said. Instead, Okowa threw his weight behind President Tinubu, advocating for a full eight-year tenure.

The former Delta State governor noted that Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 would uphold the turn of the South in the presidential rotation and serve Nigeria better.

“For the stability of this nation, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure. Then the presidency can move back to the North. I believe that is the right thing,” Okowa said.

He also explained that the PDP’s internal disarray, including legal wrangling over leadership, disunity, and lack of electoral strategy, convinced Delta’s political elite that the party could not compete effectively in 2027.

“We had various levels of meetings with several stakeholders, and even consulted some of our leaders who are not politicians before we came to this decision. It was not just a decision of the governor or myself. It was the consensus of a broader political family in Delta,” Okowa added.

Okowa further explained that the PDP’s internal disarray legal wrangling over leadership, disunity, and lack of electoral strategy, convinced Delta’s political elite that the party could not compete effectively in 2027.

On his decision to join the APC, Okowa noted that it was necessary to reconnect Delta State with “the corridors of power in Abuja” and attract federal investments and development opportunities. He also responded to criticism from former President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, saying, “Saraki has no moral right to speak. He has jumped parties several times.”