Ifeajika Dismisses ₦1.3 Trillion Allegation, Insists Okowa Cleared & 2027-Ready
Allegations and Counterclaims Take Centre Stage
A fresh political confrontation has emerged in Delta State following renewed allegations of corruption against former governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, with his allies forcefully rejecting claims of financial misconduct and calls for his arrest.
At the centre of the dispute are accusations that ₦1.3 trillion is unaccounted for during Okowa’s eight-year tenure—claims amplified by a group identifying as a coalition of Delta North youths.
However, Okowa’s former Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has dismissed the allegations as “malicious, unfounded, and politically motivated,” describing them as part of a broader attempt to shape public perception ahead of the 2027 elections.
EFCC Invitation, Not Arrest
A key element of the controversy revolves around Okowa’s past interaction with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ifeajika clarified that the former governor was neither arrested nor detained, contrary to widespread speculation. According to him, Okowa voluntarily honoured an EFCC invitation in 2024 after returning from a trip abroad, spent a night responding to allegations, and returned to Asaba thereafter.
The distinction, he argued, is critical in countering narratives portraying the former governor as a fugitive or subject of criminal detention.
Disputed ₦1.3 Trillion Claim
Addressing the financial allegations, Ifeajika maintained that no funds are missing, stating that a comprehensive financial account of Okowa’s administration had already been made public.
He explained that Delta State recorded total revenues of approximately ₦2.65 trillion during the eight-year period, with detailed breakdowns provided at the time—figures he said remain unchallenged.
“For two years, no one has successfully disputed those records,” he noted, suggesting that the persistence of the allegation reflects political messaging rather than factual contestation.
Politics of Defection and 2027 Ambitions
The dispute is unfolding against the backdrop of shifting political alignments in Delta State, particularly the movement of key actors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Critics have linked Okowa’s defection to an alleged attempt to evade investigation. Ifeajika rejected this claim, insisting the decision was a collective strategic move by party stakeholders responding to internal instability within the PDP.
He further confirmed that Okowa is positioning himself as a serious contender for the Delta North senatorial seat in 2027, signalling that the unfolding narrative battle is as much about electoral positioning as it is about accountability.
Legacy, Governance, and Policy Defence
Beyond the corruption allegations, Ifeajika defended Okowa’s governance record, particularly in healthcare and economic development.
He cited the domestication of the National Health Act, expansion of insurance-based healthcare access, and social interventions for vulnerable groups as evidence of policy impact.
He also pushed back against criticisms of infrastructure and industrial projects, including the Kwale Industrial Park, insisting they remain functional and economically relevant.
Narrative Control in a Pre-Election Climate
The exchange highlights a broader pattern in Nigeria’s political landscape, where allegations of corruption, institutional investigations, and public narratives often intersect with electoral ambitions.
For Okowa and his allies, the immediate objective appears twofold: to neutralise reputational risks and to reinforce his viability as a 2027 candidate.
For critics, the allegations represent an attempt to hold former officeholders accountable—or, as his camp suggests, to weaponise public opinion.
Between Due Process and Political Messaging
As the debate intensifies, questions remain about the role of institutions like the EFCC, the boundaries of political rhetoric, and the extent to which public discourse is shaped by evidence versus strategy.
What is clear is that the issue has moved beyond a simple allegation, evolving into a defining narrative battle ahead of Delta State’s next electoral cycle.
