Okowa Joined APC to Escape EFCC Corruption Probe – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has alleged that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) was influenced by the corruption investigation against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Akpabio made the claim while discussing political developments in Delta State in a leaked audio conversation with Sandra Duru.

“Okowa came (into the APC) because of fears of his corruption cases; it’s not because of his sincerity,” Akpabio said.

The Senate President also claimed that Okowa was not part of the discussions that led to the emergence of the current APC leadership, suggesting that the former governor was brought into the party after key political decisions had already been made.

“Okowa didn’t know anything about the new chairman of the party. When the new chairman of the party was coming, it was between me and the president,” he said.

Akpabio further claimed that he played a role in helping Okowa obtain the APC ticket to contest the Delta North senatorial seat in the 2027 election.

Okowa’s movement into the APC followed a major political realignment in Delta State, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the former governor, serving commissioners, local government chairpersons and other prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also leaving the opposition party for the ruling APC.

Okowa had defended the decision by saying it was motivated by the need for Delta State to build a stronger relationship with the Federal Government.

“It was not about me. It was not about the governor, but the fact that there is the need for us to connect to Abuja. That goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja, of which Delta State is a large contributor, there was a need to connect to it,” he said.

His defection, however, did not bring an end to the EFCC investigation against him.

The former governor was arrested by the anti-graft agency over allegations involving about N1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds received by Delta State during his tenure.

The investigation also focused on alleged investments and assets linked to Okowa, including interests in the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other oil-sector ventures.

Ifeanyi Okowa; Atiku Abubakar

Okowa has denied wrongdoing in relation to the allegations.

The EFCC has also maintained that his political affiliation would not prevent the investigation from continuing.

Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, the commission’s Director of Legal and Prosecution, previously confirmed that the case remained active.

“To the best of my knowledge, that case is still undergoing investigation. And in due course, justice will be served,” Tahir said.

Okowa, who served as Delta governor between 2015 and 2023, was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar on the PDP ticket in the 2023 presidential election. The ticket finished second behind Bola Tinubu of the APC, while Peter Obi finished third.

The former governor has since become active in the APC and is seeking to contest the Delta North senatorial election under the party in 2027.

At a recent APC gathering in Ika North-East Local Government Area, Okowa urged residents to support the ruling party with their votes in the coming election.

“I am overwhelmed by the large turnout of our people. I urge you to remain loyal to the APC and ensure that your support translates into votes for all our candidates in 2027,” he said.

Okowa who ran with Atiku in the 2023 presidential election admitted that he knew the PDP would lose the election even before the results were announced.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that in the 2023 presidential contest, the PDP ticket of Atiku and Okowa finished behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) with the Labour Party (LP) finishing third.

The former governor said his assessment of the political situation was so clear that he had already told Christian leaders about the likely outcome of the election before Nigerians went to the polls.

“I knew we will not win the election,” Okowa said.

“And even when I met with the Christian leaders, I told them that APC will win, while PDP will come second and then LP will come third,” he added.

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