Okowa Admits 2023 Mistake, Says Atiku Already Planning PDP Exit

Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has opened up about the political decisions he now regrets—and dropped a major hint about the future of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a candid interview on Arise News, Okowa revealed that Atiku is already on his way out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the 2027 elections approach. This comes just days after Okowa himself officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I know he is already heading out of the PDP from the communications he passed on to me,” Okowa said. “Nigerians know already.”

Okowa’s statement adds a new twist to the ongoing political drama as opposition figures prepare for a possible coalition against President Bola Tinubu in 2027. It also gives weight to recent speculations that Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, may team up with other political heavyweights outside the party.

But beyond the big revelation, Okowa used the platform to reflect on what he called a painful political misstep—accepting to be Atiku’s running mate instead of backing a southern candidate, which he now believes would have been the right thing to do.

“I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” he admitted. “Even during the campaign, I could tell they weren’t excited about another northerner taking over from President Buhari.”

According to him, the pressure to accept the vice presidential slot came from the party’s leadership at the national level, not from the grassroots. “The decision had already been taken at the federal level, and I had been nominated,” he explained.

Okowa also used the opportunity to praise the people of Delta State for standing by his leadership. He said their support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his successor, showed that they still trusted his judgment.

“They said, ‘You’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen.’ And they did,” he said proudly.