Senate President Godswill Akpabio has claimed that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was admitted into the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of fears over his corruption case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Akpabio made the claim in an alleged 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 reportedly said.
The Senate President also claimed that Okowa was not involved in discussions surrounding the APC leadership when he joined the ruling party.
“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 spoke about Delta State politics, claiming that he played a role in helping Okowa secure the APC senatorial ticket for Delta North ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Okowa’s APC Defection
Okowa, who served as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2023 presidential election, later joined the APC alongside Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commissioners, local government chairpersons and other PDP leaders in the state.
Explaining the defection, Okowa said the decision was driven by the need for Delta State to establish stronger links 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,” the former governor said.
EFCC Probe Remains Ongoing
The development comes after the EFCC arrested Okowa over allegations involving ₦1.3 trillion in oil derivation funds.
The former governor was accused of misappropriating funds and acquiring assets, including shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas Company and other oil-sector investments.
Okowa has not been convicted of the allegations.
Despite his move to the APC, the EFCC said its investigation into the former governor remained ongoing.
“To the best of my knowledge, that case is still undergoing investigation. And in due course, justice will be served,” Sylvanus Tahir, SAN, the EFCC Director of Legal and Prosecution, said.
