ABUJA: Senator Abba Moro of Benue South has attributed the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) defeat in the 2023 presidential election to what he called a critical misstep: the selection of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa as the party’s vice-presidential candidate.
Sen Abba Moro described Okowa’s nomination as a “serious mistake” that weakened the PDP’s chances at the polls.
He argued that the party could have secured victory if a different running mate had been chosen for its presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.
The senator’s criticism follows a controversial interview in which Okowa, now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), admitted regretting his decision to accept the VP slot, stating it went against the wishes of his constituents.
Okowa and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected to the APC on April 23, citing alignment with the federal government as a driving factor.
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Moro questioned Okowa’s dedication to the PDP, particularly pointing to the party’s poor showing in Delta State during the 2023 election.
It’s hard to explain how a sitting governor and former senator couldn’t deliver his state for the party, he said.
Two of the state’s senators even came from opposition parties. That speaks volumes.
He went further to say that Okowa’s defection and public disavowal of the PDP ticket reinforce the belief that his commitment to the party was never genuine.
His recent comments confirm what many of us feared: his heart was never in the PDP, never in the election,” Moro said. “Instead of accepting responsibility, he’s now claiming regret. That lack of loyalty cost us dearly.
Moro concluded by calling for deeper introspection within the PDP to avoid such strategic errors in the future, noting that strong internal cohesion and wise decision-making will be essential for future electoral success.
