Saraki lacks moral standing to talk on defections to APC – Okowa
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has hit back at ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki over criticisms of his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying Saraki lacks the moral standing to comment.
Speaking on Arise TV, Okowa defended his switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC, stating it was a collective decision by his political base in Delta State, including Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other PDP stakeholders. The defection became official in Asaba on Monday.
Reacting to Saraki’s earlier remark describing the move as “shocking and unbecoming,” Okowa said, “I didn’t expect someone like Senator Saraki to speak about my defection. He has also moved to the APC before and later returned to the PDP. I don’t think he has the moral right to speak about it.”
Saraki had left the PDP for the APC in 2014 and returned in 2018.
Addressing insinuations that his defection was motivated by fear of prosecution, Okowa said he has nothing to hide. “There are no sins to be forgiven because no sins were committed,” he stated.
“I wasn’t arrested by the EFCC. I was abroad when they contacted me, and when I returned, I responded. I’m not afraid of investigation. I worked for the people of Delta State, and they know that.”
He also dismissed petitions as political tools, reaffirming his willingness to cooperate with authorities. “Anyone can write a petition. The EFCC has the right to investigate, and I have nothing to fear,” he added.
