Immediate past governor of Delta State and 2023 Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has formally declared his interest in contesting the Delta North Senatorial election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The seat is currently occupied by billionaire businessman, Ned Nwoko. Okowa was governor of Delta State from 2015 to 2023.

This comes after he bowed to pressure from various groups, including over 50 high-profile political leaders from the nine local council areas in the zone.

They gathered at his residence in Asaba to urge him to seek the APC ticket for the Senate in the 2027 general elections.

The leaders, who included former and current National Assembly members, top government officials, and politicians, were led by the Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Monday Onyeme.

Before visiting Okowa’s residence, the group met at the deputy governor’s lodge, where they reached a resolution to encourage Okowa to contest the Senate seat.

During the meeting, concerns were raised about the quality of representation currently being provided to the district in the Senate.

A motion was moved by former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Ndudi Elumelu, and seconded by a current member of the House, Nnamdi Ezechi, proposing that Okowa return to the Senate. This motion was unanimously approved.

Speaking on behalf of the leaders, prominent figures, including Chris Agbobu, a former minister from Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Chief Emma Onyiuku (Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency), and Doris Uboh, former House of Representatives member from Ika Federal Constituency, urged Okowa to accept the call to represent Delta North in the Senate.

The leaders described the former governor as a seasoned administrator and consensus builder whose experience remains vital for effective representation at the federal level.

At his residence, Okowa, who was surprised and overwhelmed with emotion over the visit and the demand of the people, said: “I will heed your call. I feel very loved and honoured, and I have no choice but to accept.”