Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Former Delta State governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, yesterday mentioned he deserted his former political camp as a result of he has “seen the light” in President Bola Tinubu’s governance
Speaking at a large All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential marketing campaign gathering in Port Harcourt, Rivers State yesterday, Okowa straight addressed his political transition.
He mentioned his transfer to hitch forces with the ruling get together stemmed from his conviction that the present administration is making the powerful, structural choices wanted to restore many years of financial decay.
Addressing the crowd, Okowa confronted his previous political alignment, emphasising that nationwide curiosity should supersede partisan loyalty.
“You all know that in 2023 I was on another ticket, but I have seen the light, and I have seen what Mr. President is doing for Nigeria,” Okowa acknowledged to cheers from get together supporters.
“It is the right thing to be done, and I have long ago crossed to the APC to join hands with Mr President because he is truly building a new Nigeria.”
Pegging his endorsement on the administration’s structural financial reset, Okowa contended that earlier political management had undermined the nation’s basis by populist however fiscally irresponsible insurance policies like the petroleum subsidy regime.
“When the foundation is broken, you cannot do anything,” Okowa emphasised. “Mr President realises that successive administrations have broken the foundations of Nigeria. And today, we are on the right course because that foundation is being put right.”
The former governor argued that the tangible advantages of federal fiscal reforms—significantly the enhanced income allocations to sub-national entities—validate his determination to defect and align with the APC.
“Today, our states, today, our local governments are doing so well because Mr. President has continued to mobilise resources for various states and our local governments,” Okowa mentioned. “We no longer talk about people owing salaries; we no longer talk about people owing pensioners. Our local governments are doing projects, our states are doing projects, and we can pay salaries. Only a man who understands a nation’s economy can do this. The wonders that were done in Lagos are already being done in our country, Nigeria.”
Turning to human capital improvement, the former vice presidential candidate highlighted key social investments—together with the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND)—as a defining cause why youth throughout the Niger Delta area ought to reject opposition calls to reverse present reforms.
“Mr President is a man who understands that our children need a future,” he added. “An educated populace can build a sustainable future for the Nigerian nation. Mr. President is doing just that by ensuring our students can complete their university education without financial strain through NELFUND. This is what we need in this country.”
Taking a direct swipe at opposition figures campaigning on guarantees to reinstate gas subsidies, Okowa labelled such guarantees a regression into financial decay.
“People may tell you otherwise, but Mr. President is working truly for the long run because the other presidents that have led us in the past have continued to destroy the foundation of Nigeria through the so-called subsidy regime,” Okowa warned. “We do not want those old persons who have led us wrong in the past to destroy the future of our youths and tell you that they want to bring back subsidy. That is taking us to the past.”
Closing his speech, Okowa appealed to voters throughout the South-South area to rally behind President Tinubu’s re-election bid to solidify the nation’s developmental good points.
“We must be patient. It is working, and I believe that a new Nigeria is being born—a new Nigeria which will ensure security for the future of our young ones,” Okowa declared, calling on voters to safe victory on election day. “May God bless all of you as you all come back to work for Mr. President.”
