Former Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa explains why he abandoned Atiku’s camp to back Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, citing economic reforms and NELFUND
Ifeanyi Okowa: Why I Dumped Atiku to Back Tinubu in 2027
Former Delta State Governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice-presidential candidate, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has explained his decision to abandon his former political alliance with Atiku Abubakar and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that he has “seen the light” in the President’s governance approach.
Okowa made the declaration on Saturday while addressing supporters at the All Progressives Congress (APC) Rainbow Coalition presidential campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he defended his political realignment and expressed confidence in the direction of the Tinubu administration ahead of the 2027 general election.
The former governor, who was Atiku’s running mate on the PDP ticket in the 2023 presidential election, said his decision to align with the ruling APC was informed by his assessment of the President’s economic policies and what he described as efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s economic foundations.
Addressing the gathering, Okowa acknowledged his previous political affiliation, insisting that national interest should take precedence over 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 stated to cheers from party 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.”
He argued that successive administrations had weakened the country’s economic foundations through policies he considered unsustainable, particularly the petroleum subsidy regime, maintaining that the difficult decisions taken by the Tinubu administration were necessary to reverse years of economic setbacks.
“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 also pointed to increased federal allocations to state and local governments as evidence of what he described as the emerging benefits of the administration’s fiscal reforms.
According to him, the additional resources available to sub-national governments have improved their capacity to execute projects, meet salary obligations and settle outstanding pension payments.
“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 said.
“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.”
Okowa further cited education financing as another reason for his support for Tinubu, highlighting the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which provides financial assistance to eligible students in tertiary institutions.
He argued that expanding access to education was essential to preparing young Nigerians for the future and described the student loan initiative as an important intervention to reduce financial barriers to university education.
“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.”
The former Delta governor also criticised political figures advocating a return to the fuel subsidy regime, warning that reversing the policy would amount to a return to what he described as the economic mistakes of previous administrations.
His comments came amid growing political debate over the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, which has remained a major point of contention between the ruling party and opposition political groups.
“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.”
Okowa concluded his remarks by urging residents of Rivers State and other parts of the South-South to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition, expressing confidence that the administration’s policies would deliver long-term benefits.
He called for patience with the government’s reform agenda, insisting that the country was moving towards a new phase of development.
“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 secure victory on election day.
“May God bless all of you as you all come back to work for Mr President.”
Okowa’s endorsement comes after his political transition from the PDP to the APC in April 2025, alongside Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other political leaders in the state. His defection marked a significant shift from his role as Atiku’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election to his present support for Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The Port Harcourt rally forms part of the APC’s political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general election, with party leaders and supporters from across the South-South geopolitical zone gathering to campaign for the President’s re-election.
Okowa’s remarks have brought renewed attention to his political realignment and his assessment of the Tinubu administration, particularly on economic reforms, fiscal federalism, fuel subsidy and access to higher education.
