Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has explained his decision to abandon his former political alliance with ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Okowa, who served as Atiku’s running mate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket in the 2023 presidential election, said his change of political position followed his administration’s assessment of Tinubu’s policies and direction for the country.

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the former governor declared that he had become convinced of the direction Tinubu was taking Nigeria.

“You all know that in 2023 I was on another ticket, but I have seen the light, and I have seen what Mr President is doing for Nigeria,” Okowa said.

Describing the President’s economic decisions as difficult but necessary, Okowa argued that the ongoing reforms were aimed at addressing longstanding structural problems in the Nigerian economy.

The former governor also highlighted increased federal allocations to state and local governments, saying the additional revenue had strengthened the capacity of subnational administrations to execute projects and meet financial obligations.

Okowa further commended the Federal Government’s efforts to widen access to higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

On fuel subsidy, the APC chieftain cautioned against proposals to restore the previous arrangement, maintaining that reversing the policy could undermine efforts to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The political realignment marks a significant departure from the 2023 presidential election, when Okowa campaigned alongside Atiku against Tinubu.

Okowa governed Delta State from 2015 to 2023 under the PDP before defecting to the APC in April 2025 alongside his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and several political leaders in the state.

The former vice-presidential candidate’s endorsement adds to the APC’s political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election.