The Senate’s Minority Leader, Abba Moro, yesterday alleged that the choice of a former governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election made the latter lose the poll.
Moro was reacting to Okowa’s statement that he regretted accepting to be Atiku’s running mate.
Okowa, who had on Monday formalised his defection along with Delta State governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the PDP structure in the state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the remarks in an interview on Arise TV yesterday.
But Moro described Okowa’s remarks as “uncharitable”, saying the former governor willingly sought the position and should not now distance himself from the consequences of that decision.
He pointed to recent efforts by the party’s leadership as evidence that the PDP is not crumbling, despite high-profile defections.
“Just about 72 hours ago, the chairmen of the PDP in the 36 states and the FCT met and reaffirmed their commitment to mobilising and galvanising support for the party, especially in light of what has happened in Delta State,” he said.
According to Moro, the PDP still commands deep loyalty across the country.
“There are individuals within the party whose body and soul remain committed to the PDP, and who are willing to make sacrifices and go to great lengths to rebuild the party.
“If the rebuilding effort meets the expectations for 2027, so be it. If it doesn’t, the PDP remains an integrated political brand that cuts across all segments of Nigerian society. It will not be easily broken,” he said.
