Okowa’s Selection As Atiku’s Running Mate Cost PDP 2023 Election – Senator Moro
Senator Abba Moro has described the selection of Ifeanyi Okowa as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election as a major blunder that contributed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s defeat.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday night, the Benue South senator said the PDP would have fared better if another candidate had been chosen from the South.
His comments came after Okowa, a former Delta State governor, expressed regret over accepting the vice-presidential slot. On Monday, during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Okowa admitted that his candidacy did not reflect the will of his people.
Okowa and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move Okowa defended as being in the “best interest of our people” and aimed at connecting Delta to the federal government.
Reacting to the defection, Senator Moro said Okowa’s admission only confirmed longstanding doubts about his loyalty to the PDP.
“Given what we know now, with hindsight, some of us think the party would have won the election if another candidate had been picked as the running mate,” Moro said.
He continued, “It was a poor judgment on the part of everyone involved in choosing Okowa. How do you explain a sitting governor, former senator, and vice-presidential candidate failing to deliver his state?
“Two of the three senators from Delta were from opposition parties, and we performed miserably in the state. That alone speaks volumes.
“Instead of apologising to the PDP and Nigerians, Okowa is now saying he regrets being on the ticket. That shows his heart was never in it,” he added.
Moro concluded that the PDP lost Delta due to “lack of commitment” from Okowa, insisting the decision to pick him as Atiku’s running mate was a serious strategic error.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
