BlessedGift: “It is a great day for us in Delta State. When the news broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of April 2025, that we had decided to change our path, people wondered why,” Okowa said. “But one thing is very important: in the history of a people, there is always a time to change a path for the common good of the people, and whatever decision that we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state.”
Okowa, who served as Delta State governor from 2015 to 2023, explained that the decision was motivated by the need to establish stronger ties with the federal government at the centre.
“As I did tell people that day, it was not about me, it was not about the governor, but the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja of which Delta is a large contributor, there is a need to connect to it. I was governor for eight years; I did my best, but we lost a lot, and I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard without tapping into that,” Okowa stated.
“But as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power, resources, and goodwill in Abuja,” the former governor added.
He further described the move as bold, patriotic, and well-intentioned. “When we sat down after the stakeholders meeting, we thought that it was necessary to make this move. The move is bold, it is patriotic, and it is well-intentioned. It is in the best interest of our state.”
“It is a great day for us in Delta State. When the news broke out on Wednesday, the 23rd of April 2025, that we had decided to change our path, people wondered why,” Okowa said. “But one thing is very important: in the history of a people, there is always a time to change a path for the common good of the people, and whatever decision that we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of our state.”
Okowa, who served as Delta State governor from 2015 to 2023, explained that the decision was motivated by the need to establish stronger ties with the federal government at the centre.
“As I did tell people that day, it was not about me, it was not about the governor, but the fact that there is a need for us to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource that is in Abuja of which Delta is a large contributor, there is a need to connect to it. I was governor for eight years; I did my best, but we lost a lot, and I did not believe that the governor needed to stay working very hard without tapping into that,” Okowa stated.
“But as the governor is doing a lot for us, he also needs to connect to the greater source of power, resources, and goodwill in Abuja,” the former governor added.
He further described the move as bold, patriotic, and well-intentioned. “When we sat down after the stakeholders meeting, we thought that it was necessary to make this move. The move is bold, it is patriotic, and it is well-intentioned. It is in the best interest of our state.”
A former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has said that the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa and several prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party did not come as a surprise.
He said, “First, I think anybody who says this is unexpected will only be deceiving himself. The signals have been there, that some governors are going to decamp. It’s not just one but some governors."
A former National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Salihu Lukman, has said that the defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa and several prominent leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party did not come as a surprise.
He said, “First, I think anybody who says this is unexpected will only be deceiving himself. The signals have been there, that some governors are going to decamp. It’s not just one but some governors."
A former presidential spokesperson for the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that forming a coalition is the opposition’s only chance to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Okonkwo expressed confidence that the coalition would be formed, though he could not specify who would lead it.
“Moving to 2027, I know that there will be a coalition. Whether it is going to be between Peter Obi and Atiku, I don’t know, but there will be a coalition. Why? Because that will be the only choice the opposition has to make any impact,” Okonkwo said.
A former presidential spokesperson for the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo, has stated that forming a coalition is the opposition’s only chance to defeat President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Okonkwo expressed confidence that the coalition would be formed, though he could not specify who would lead it.
“Moving to 2027, I know that there will be a coalition. Whether it is going to be between Peter Obi and Atiku, I don’t know, but there will be a coalition. Why? Because that will be the only choice the opposition has to make any impact,” Okonkwo said.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as a dead party ready to be buried.
According to him, the ruling party is expecting the defection of more governors from the opposition into its fold in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
He expressed confidence that the ruling party would win all the forthcoming elections even before the next general election in 2027.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has described the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as a dead party ready to be buried.
According to him, the ruling party is expecting the defection of more governors from the opposition into its fold in the build-up to the 2027 general election.
He expressed confidence that the ruling party would win all the forthcoming elections even before the next general election in 2027.
“Nothing. Nothing. The fact that these guys moved en masse… the people of Delta are waiting. Because what impact has the APC, as a government, given to the people? There is anger in the land. What do you think they are going to do there, if not for personal embellishment?” the former Ondo State military governor said.
The 79-year-old added, “The people of Delta are naturally PDP members. They know the kind of positive impact they enjoyed under the PDP national government. So, if you now decide to go, we wish you the best of luck. We’ve seen it before—those who trooped out eventually came back, because they’re heading into an organisation that is so personally owned.”
“Nothing. Nothing. The fact that these guys moved en masse… the people of Delta are waiting. Because what impact has the APC, as a government, given to the people? There is anger in the land. What do you think they are going to do there, if not for personal embellishment?” the former Ondo State military governor said.
The 79-year-old added, “The people of Delta are naturally PDP members. They know the kind of positive impact they enjoyed under the PDP national government. So, if you now decide to go, we wish you the best of luck. We’ve seen it before—those who trooped out eventually came back, because they’re heading into an organisation that is so personally owned.”
A public affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru, has said former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has what it takes to convince the whole of Northern Nigeria to vote for Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Tinubu's government will end by 2027.
A public affairs analyst, Majeed Dahiru, has said former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has what it takes to convince the whole of Northern Nigeria to vote for Peter Obi in the 2027 general elections.
According to him, Tinubu's government will end by 2027.
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed claims that the ruling party is steering Nigeria towards a one-party system.
The party’s secretary defended the APC’s political activities and dismissed suggestions of state-backed intimidation of opposition parties.
Earlier on Wednesday, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, along with commissioners and key stakeholders in the state.
When asked whether he was concerned by growing perceptions that the APC and the current administration are turning Nigeria into a one-party state, Basiru retorted.
“How can we turn Nigeria into a one-party state?” he quizzed. “The country is not our making. The policies of the country are not our making.
“I think the problem with Nigeria is that we don’t seem to have people who are very serious in opposition, who take their job seriously. You cannot expect the ruling party to do the work of the opposition.”
Challenging the media, Basiru urged journalists to assess the inactivity of opposition parties, contrasting it with the APC’s ongoing efforts to build a robust, grassroots structure across the country.
“Tomorrow is a working day—go around the headquarters of all other political parties and see whether you find any activity going on.
“One of the cardinal policies of our party since Abdullahi Ganduje assumed leadership is to build a functionally efficient party structure in every ward, local government, and state in Nigeria. And that is what we are doing,” he stated.
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has dismissed claims that the ruling party is steering Nigeria towards a one-party system.
The party’s secretary defended the APC’s political activities and dismissed suggestions of state-backed intimidation of opposition parties.
Earlier on Wednesday, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, along with commissioners and key stakeholders in the state.
When asked whether he was concerned by growing perceptions that the APC and the current administration are turning Nigeria into a one-party state, Basiru retorted.
“How can we turn Nigeria into a one-party state?” he quizzed. “The country is not our making. The policies of the country are not our making.
“I think the problem with Nigeria is that we don’t seem to have people who are very serious in opposition, who take their job seriously. You cannot expect the ruling party to do the work of the opposition.”
Challenging the media, Basiru urged journalists to assess the inactivity of opposition parties, contrasting it with the APC’s ongoing efforts to build a robust, grassroots structure across the country.
“Tomorrow is a working day—go around the headquarters of all other political parties and see whether you find any activity going on.
“One of the cardinal policies of our party since Abdullahi Ganduje assumed leadership is to build a functionally efficient party structure in every ward, local government, and state in Nigeria. And that is what we are doing,” he stated.
Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, says any genuine opposition in Nigeria must embody the struggles and aspirations of ordinary citizens. “They want to change the party in power without changing politics, whereas the party in power is not the cause of the problem of Nigeria.
“The party in power is a product of the problem because it is only bad politics, prompt and plain.
“Only bad politics can produce a President Bola Tinubu for Nigerians. He is a product of bad politics.”
Adewole Adebayo, presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 election, says any genuine opposition in Nigeria must embody the struggles and aspirations of ordinary citizens. “They want to change the party in power without changing politics, whereas the party in power is not the cause of the problem of Nigeria.
“The party in power is a product of the problem because it is only bad politics, prompt and plain.
“Only bad politics can produce a President Bola Tinubu for Nigerians. He is a product of bad politics.”
Bode George, PDP chieftain has said mega party initiative driven by self-interest.
According to him, Atiku and others pursuing the mega party agenda are acting out of personal ambition. Any discussion about forming a mega party must be thoroughly debated and approved within the PDP, rather than being driven by individual interests or alliances with non-members like former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chief Bode George condemned PDP governors decamping to APC, calling their actions “disappointing” and disheartening.
In the same vein, he said PDP Governors' alleged defection is disappointing.
"I'm saddened that some governors, barely two years into their administration, are considering decamping to an unstructured APC despite riding into power on the PDP's goodwill. History will likely judge harshly any governor who attempts such a move."
Bode George, PDP chieftain has said mega party initiative driven by self-interest.
According to him, Atiku and others pursuing the mega party agenda are acting out of personal ambition. Any discussion about forming a mega party must be thoroughly debated and approved within the PDP, rather than being driven by individual interests or alliances with non-members like former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chief Bode George condemned PDP governors decamping to APC, calling their actions “disappointing” and disheartening.
In the same vein, he said PDP Governors' alleged defection is disappointing.
"I'm saddened that some governors, barely two years into their administration, are considering decamping to an unstructured APC despite riding into power on the PDP's goodwill. History will likely judge harshly any governor who attempts such a move."
Ihengwu: They are wasting their time. Tinubu bought over Nigeria as an ordinary citizen and they think they can take power from him when he has executive power. Joke of the century.
Ruben Abati, a Nigerian journalist, politician, TV presenter and newspaper columnist has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to be concerned about the statement from Baba Ahmed regarding the North ahead of 2027 general elections.
Ruben Abati, a Nigerian journalist, politician, TV presenter and newspaper columnist has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to be concerned about the statement from Baba Ahmed regarding the North ahead of 2027 general elections.
Ruben Abati, a Nigerian journalist, politician, TV presenter and newspaper columnist has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to be concerned about the statement from Baba Ahmed regarding the North ahead of 2027 general elections.
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has declared that the North will soon determine its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no politician can win the Nigerian presidency without the region’s support.
Ruben Abati, a Nigerian journalist, politician, TV presenter and newspaper columnist has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress to be concerned about the statement from Baba Ahmed regarding the North ahead of 2027 general elections.
Former Special Adviser on Political Matters to President Bola Tinubu, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, has declared that the North will soon determine its political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that no politician can win the Nigerian presidency without the region’s support.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he would be a happier man if he could end human suffering and bring about peace and stability in Nigeria and across the globe.
The former president spoke at a reception organized for him in Abuja by his friends and associates to mark the conferment of the Sunhak Peace Prize award on him by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in South Korea.
The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon and it is aimed at ending worldwide suffering, conflict, poverty and threats to the environment by promoting a comprehensive, future-oriented vision of peace.
Jonathan, who was honoured with his wife, Patience, said he is often overwhelmed with grief and concern when he comes across citizens who are suffering and laboring to survive.
“I wish I could end the suffering of people that I come across daily. I do not really want to see human beings suffering and I would be happy to give a helping hand to them if I had the means and be in a position to do so,” the former president said.
“Indeed, I always feel bad seeing people suffering. But let me assure you all seated here today, that my commitment to peace remains unchanged till I die. I will continue to seek peace and pursue it for as long as I am alive,” Jonathan said, amid a thunderous applause from the crowd of supporters and friends.
The former president thanked the man behind the reception party, Robert Azibaola, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineer, for bringing together the people who honoured him for winning the peace prize in Seoul.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he would be a happier man if he could end human suffering and bring about peace and stability in Nigeria and across the globe.
The former president spoke at a reception organized for him in Abuja by his friends and associates to mark the conferment of the Sunhak Peace Prize award on him by the Sunhak Peace Prize Foundation in South Korea.
The Sunhak Peace Prize was founded by Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, the wife of the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon and it is aimed at ending worldwide suffering, conflict, poverty and threats to the environment by promoting a comprehensive, future-oriented vision of peace.
Jonathan, who was honoured with his wife, Patience, said he is often overwhelmed with grief and concern when he comes across citizens who are suffering and laboring to survive.
“I wish I could end the suffering of people that I come across daily. I do not really want to see human beings suffering and I would be happy to give a helping hand to them if I had the means and be in a position to do so,” the former president said.
“Indeed, I always feel bad seeing people suffering. But let me assure you all seated here today, that my commitment to peace remains unchanged till I die. I will continue to seek peace and pursue it for as long as I am alive,” Jonathan said, amid a thunderous applause from the crowd of supporters and friends.
The former president thanked the man behind the reception party, Robert Azibaola, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineer, for bringing together the people who honoured him for winning the peace prize in Seoul.
Nigerian politician and medical doctor, Dr Betta Edu, has asked Christians to reflect deeply on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the central theme of Easter: love and sacrifice.
In her Easter message, which she personally signed, Dr. Edu said that without deep reflection on what Easter represents, the celebration will only amount to a mere hollow ritual.
According to her, the death of Christ represents love and sacrifice and His resurrection, hope and triumph of light over darkness.
She urged Christians to imbibe the exemplary life of love, selflessness, sacrifice, and forgiveness, which Christ demonstrated in His death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of mankind.
“As Christians, Easter presents us the opportunity for a deep reflection, a time to carry out an ecclesiastical soul-searching to embody that which Christ came and died for.
“Easter is both significant and sobering in the sense that it reminds us of all of the triumphs of good over evil, light over darkness, and love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ’s teachings while on earth.
“His death and resurrection brought a refreshing dawn for humanity and redefined the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and forgiveness,” she said.
Dr. Edu pleaded with Nigerians to be steadfast in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the president works hard to pull the country from the myriad of challenges it faces.
“Just as Christ showed unconditional love and made sacrifices for humanity, let us, as patriotic Nigerians, put our country first at all times, knowing that the government of President Bola Tinubu is working hard to pull Nigeria from the economic doldrums in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda,” she stressed.
Nigerian politician and medical doctor, Dr Betta Edu, has asked Christians to reflect deeply on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the central theme of Easter: love and sacrifice.
In her Easter message, which she personally signed, Dr. Edu said that without deep reflection on what Easter represents, the celebration will only amount to a mere hollow ritual.
According to her, the death of Christ represents love and sacrifice and His resurrection, hope and triumph of light over darkness.
She urged Christians to imbibe the exemplary life of love, selflessness, sacrifice, and forgiveness, which Christ demonstrated in His death, burial, and resurrection for the redemption of mankind.
“As Christians, Easter presents us the opportunity for a deep reflection, a time to carry out an ecclesiastical soul-searching to embody that which Christ came and died for.
“Easter is both significant and sobering in the sense that it reminds us of all of the triumphs of good over evil, light over darkness, and love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ’s teachings while on earth.
“His death and resurrection brought a refreshing dawn for humanity and redefined the virtues of selflessness, love, sacrifice and forgiveness,” she said.
Dr. Edu pleaded with Nigerians to be steadfast in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as the president works hard to pull the country from the myriad of challenges it faces.
“Just as Christ showed unconditional love and made sacrifices for humanity, let us, as patriotic Nigerians, put our country first at all times, knowing that the government of President Bola Tinubu is working hard to pull Nigeria from the economic doldrums in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda,” she stressed.
Politics › Re: We Moved To APC To Connect Delta Straight To Abuja — okowa by BlessedGift(op): 3:42pm On Apr 28, 2025
