The immediate past governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa who is being tried by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged N1.3 trillion fraud has led the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP structure in Delta state to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Okowa, who was seen in a video earlier on Wednesday announcing his defection from the PDP, was followed later in the day by the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to the APC.

Okowa was arrested about five months ago for alleged N1.3trillion fraud amounting to a 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

He was accused of failing to render accounts of the funds as well as another N40bn he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

Okowa also allegedly bought shares of N40bn in one of the major banks in the country, representing eight per cent equity to float the offshore LNG.

He was later released on bail conditions, which include depositing his travel documents with the commission, pending the conclusion of investigations of the allegations against him.

Okowa had described the allegation as laughable and totally false.

The defection was announced was made on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, by a former Chairman of the PDP in the State, Senator James Manager, shortly after a meeting that lasted over six hours at Government House, Asaba.

Manager declared that all the PDP members in the state including the Speaker, the party Chairman and all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.

Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.

“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the governor’s defection and the collective decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.

“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.

He continued, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”

Charles added that the decision was unanimously made by party leaders and stakeholders, hinting at a formal public declaration soon.

“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.

The move marks a significant turning point in Delta State politics, signalling a broader political recalibration that could reshape party dominance in the South-South region.