Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South, has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have secured victory in the 2023 presidential election had it not selected Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State, as the running mate for its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. Moro characterized the decision to choose Okowa as the vice presidential candidate as a significant error.
He noted that Okowa’s admission of regret regarding his role as the PDP’s vice presidential candidate, particularly after failing to ensure a PDP victory in Delta during the presidential election, indicated a lack of genuine commitment to the party. Okowa, along with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, has since defected from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). During his formal reception by APC leadership in Asaba, Okowa stated that his defection was in the best interest of the people of Delta and emphasized the necessity for the state to connect with Abuja. Moro expressed that, with the benefit of hindsight, many believe the party could have triumphed had a different candidate been selected as
the vice presidential nominee from the South. He criticized the judgment of those involved in Okowa’s selection, questioning how a sitting governor and former senator could fail to deliver his state for the presidential candidate. He pointed out that two senators from Delta were affiliated with opposition parties rather than the PDP. Moro concluded that the choice of Okowa as the vice presidential candidate in 2023 was indeed a grave mistake, further asserting that Okowa’s actions reflected a lack of dedication to the party, leading to the conclusion that the election was lost due to insufficient commitment.
How can one account for the fact that shortly after losing a state that should have been an easy win for the PDP, he chose not to apologize to the party and the nation, but instead expressed regret about being on the ticket?
“His soul was not in the PDP. His soul was not in that election, and that is why we performed very miserably in Delta State.
In response to the question of whether Atiku’s departure would harm the PDP, the senator from Benue stated, ‘Atiku undoubtedly holds a significant position in the history and establishment of the PDP. He is an integral part of the party’s organization and has been a prominent member, having run for the presidency twice. Indeed, his exit would result in a notable void.’
