Former Governor of Delta State. Ifeanyi Okowa, has said he regrets his decision to run as vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, Okowa admitted that the decision may have contradicted the wishes of his people.

He also stated that joining Atiku’s ticket in 2023 came at a significant political cost.

“Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.

“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people,” he declared.

Okowa further stated that the failure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) witnessed in Delta in the 2023 presidential election was due to the sentiment against his alliance with Atiku

The former governor also dismissed claims that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Okowa said: “I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC.

“So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole; we talked for the first time only yesterday because we are of different political parts and because we are of different political parts we were not friends perse.”

ASA