The Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed strong support for the recent arrest and detention of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In a statement issued by State Publicity Secretary Valentine Onojeghuo, the party framed this significant development as a positive advancement in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against corruption. The APC underscored that Okowa’s arrest symbolizes the current administration’s commitment to address issues of financial mismanagement and corruption at both the state and national levels.
Former Governor Okowa, who held office from 2015 to 2023, was apprehended by the EFCC amid allegations related to the diversion of a substantial N1.3 trillion in derivation funds. This amount reportedly corresponds to a 13 percent share of the federation account allocated between 2015 and 2023. Okowa was taken into custody while responding to an investigation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, concerning claims of financial misconduct tied to state resources and questionable contracts awarded during his administration.
The Delta APC praised the federal government’s decisive approach in arresting Okowa and called on the EFCC to extend its investigations to include other former governors and public officials. The party believes that the ongoing efforts against corruption are indicative of a broader initiative aimed at promoting transparency, curbing financial misconduct, and ensuring that public resources are utilized for the public good rather than for private gain.
In its statement, the APC characterized Okowa’s governance as one marked by financial mismanagement, alleging that significant state funds were redirected to personal projects such as the establishment of a private bank and funding a failed presidential bid. Furthermore, it condemned his purported efforts to impose a successor, framing the arrest as a critical warning to all public officeholders about the consequences of corruption, highlighting that no individual, regardless of their political standing, is exempt from the law.
Moreover, the APC highlighted that Okowa’s legacy is tarnished by a significant debt accumulation, which has earned him the epithet of the “Borrow Borrow Governor.” Throughout his tenure, Delta State reportedly received considerable federal allocations, yet the party asserts that the tangible results for these funds are meager. The limited public infrastructure projects, including roads, have been criticized for their poor quality, undermining claims regarding his administration’s effectiveness in capitalizing on state resources for development.
The APC’s strong stance following Okowa’s arrest reflects its broader political strategy to position itself as a champion of accountability and transparency in governance, actively engaging in Nigeria’s anti-corruption narrative. This incident marks a pivotal moment in Delta State’s political landscape, potentially influencing public perception and future governance policies, as the party seeks to leverage the situation to promote its ideals around fiscal responsibility and ethical leadership. By calling attention to Okowa’s alleged misdeeds, the APC aims to reinforce the notion that it is committed to fighting corruption and ensuring that public funds are used responsibly for the benefit of all citizens in Delta State and beyond.
