Jude Bruno Amamosa
In the wake of former Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), public discourse has swirled with speculation. Is the criticism against him rooted in genuine concern over his performance in office, or is it more a reflection of his political maneuvering or perhaps, a deep-seated animosity toward his person? The tone and persistence of these attacks suggest that the issue goes beyond governance or policy.
It’s important to recall that those now vehemently opposed to Okowa’s political path were once prominent figures within the PDP. When they first left the party for the APC, their primary grievance was that Dr. Okowa had allegedly hijacked the party’s structure. Accusations flew thick and fast: claims of exclusion, manipulation, and imposition. In a bid to tarnish his image, they launched a calculated campaign of blackmail and misinformation, aimed at turning public and political sentiment against him.
What many failed to anticipate was Okowa’s next move. In a politically audacious step, he aligned with the incumbent governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, and moved en masse into the APC carrying along the full PDP structure. This dramatic shift not only changed the political calculus in Delta State but also left his detractors stunned. Rather than weaken his influence, the defection consolidated his power base and reframed him as a shrewd political strategist.
One would have reasonably expected that with Okowa now in their new party, hostilities might wane. Yet, the attacks have not only persisted, they have intensified. This pattern reveals that the attacks may never have been about governance or ideology in the first place. Instead, they appear more targeted at Okowa as an individual, suggesting that personal vendettas, envy, or rivalry could be the real motivations.
In the end, Okowa’s political journey continues to confound his opponents and reshape the Delta State’s political history. The ongoing campaign of calumny, in spite of his alignment with former critics, highlights a broader challenge in Nigerian politics where ambition often masks as accountability, and where personal grudges are dressed up as public concern. The question, then, is not just about Okowa’s performance or party loyalty but about the nature of political rivalry and the lengths some will go to undermine a man they simply cannot outmaneuver.
