A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has suggested that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s defection from the party may be linked to his ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Okowa, who was the PDP vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 election alongside Atiku Abubakar, recently left the party with his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the entire PDP structure in Delta State.
Back in November 2024, Okowa was arrested by anti-corruption agencies over allegations of mismanaging ₦1.3 trillion in 13% oil derivation funds.
He was also accused of failing to account for N40 billion reportedly used to purchase shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He was later released on bail.
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During an appearance on Channels TV on Wednesday, Momodu stated that he believed Okowa’s ongoing legal troubles played a role in his decision to leave the PDP.
“Well, I am a very good student of Nigerian political history, so nothing surprised me about our politicians. The history of Nigerian politics is plagued with stories of defection,” Mr Momodu said.
“When you talk about our leader Okowa joining APC, I am not surprised. He has been under serious harassment in recent times, and don’t forget that in 1993 one of the first people to dump Chief Moshood Abiola was Babanaga Kingibe, who was his running mate.
“It’s nothing new. what will surprise me is if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu believes that people are joining APC because they love him or because he is doing fantastically well.
“What people are doing now is a game of survival. Gone are the days we used to boast that going to prison makes us a martyr.
“Nobody wants to go detention; everybody wants to be at home and enjoy the money they have made in politics.
“So if you see people today, name one of them who has not been harassed by the EFCC, ICPC, or special fraud unit at different times,” Mr Momodu added.
He alleged that the APC-led government is employing a carrot-and-stick tactic to pressure and intimidate leaders of the opposition.
“But in politics any can change in 24 hours”, he added.
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