Agboje Chuks
The political equilibrium within the Ika Federal Constituency, particularly in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State is undergoing a strategic recalibration.
At the heart of this transformation lies a growing leadership challenge for Senator Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, the immediate past Governor of Delta State.
This emerging tension is driven by two interrelated factors: the strengthening footprint of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the region, and the wave of defections from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by individuals who either felt alienated, unjustly treated, or were outright expelled during Okowa’s tenure.
Today, the political atmosphere in Ika North East is a volatile mix of past rivals and new alliances. Former PDP loyalists, many of whom were casualties of intra-party strife, now find themselves in the same political fold as their erstwhile political opponent, Senator Okowa, who has reportedly realigned himself within the APC structure, meeting those who were either allegedly maltreated or expelled from the PDP
Notable among these political heavyweights are Chief Ogadi, owner of Legend Hotel; Barr. Eugene Azuka Uzum, who reportedly endured sidelining under the previous administration; Chamberlain Dunkwu; Sabestine Okoh, a former Executive Assistant to Governor Okowa; and Ifeoma Agboma.
These figures had already carved out substantial influence within the APC long before the latest wave of PDP defectors.
Now, with Okowa entering this recalibrated terrain, he is no longer the unchallenged political authority he once was. The very individuals who felt displaced or disenfranchised under his PDP administration are unlikely to submit to his leadership within the APC structure.
Their presence signals a calculated pushback against any resurgence of Okowa’s previous dominance.
This tension is expected to intensify over the allocation of strategic political positions, ranging from commissioner nominations for the local government to higher-level appointments like the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).
The Original APC stalwarts are reportedly advocating for adherence to a power-sharing formula, believed to be a 60% to 40% arrangement in favor of legacy APC members. This formula would effectively diminish Okowa’s capacity to dictate political outcomes unilaterally.
In contrast to his previous political reign, where his influence extended deeply into Ika South and much of Delta North, Okowa may now find himself limited primarily to his immediate local base. As a result, the new political calculus demands negotiation, compromise, and a recognition of altered power dynamics.
Ultimately, the challenge confronting Senator Okowa is not just about political survival, but about redefining his role in a landscape where former allies have become contenders, and the rules of engagement have fundamentally changed.
