The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the arrest of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Reports indicate that the EFCC confirmed Okowa’s arrest over allegations of misappropriating ₦1.3 trillion, the amount said to represent the proceeds from the 13 percent derivation funds allocated to the state during his administration.
Okowa, who served as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, had visited the EFCC office in Port Harcourt earlier in the day but was taken into custody upon his arrival.
Responding to the arrest, PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor held a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, asserting that Okowa’s detention was a misguided action by the anti-graft agency. He emphasized that the Delta State government had not reported any missing funds during Okowa’s tenure.
Osadolor characterized the arrest as political persecution aimed at silencing opposition voices, warning that such actions threaten the foundations of democracy. He remarked that Okowa had been operating without issue until the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, began to criticize government policies.
“It is surprising that a man who voluntarily came to the EFCC office is now detained and remains in custody,” Osadolor stated. “He was not evading arrest; he is a prominent figure being accused of enormous sums that are not true.”
He criticized the EFCC for acting as both litigant and prosecutor, alleging that the agency has been using the media to publicize an investigation that appears to be ongoing. “This situation is perilous, and we must denounce it,” he added.
Osadolor pointed out that several former governors and members of the ruling party facing allegations of financial misconduct are not facing similar scrutiny. He questioned the disparity in treatment, suggesting that Okowa’s case is politically motivated.
“Okowa should be released immediately, and the media trials and humiliation of opposition leaders must cease. There seems to be a pattern in Okowa’s arrest, and we may soon see similar actions against Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State. This is clearly a strategy targeting opposition leaders,” he warned.
He called on the EFCC to operate independently rather than act as an extension of the ruling party or the presidency. “We urge a complete overhaul of the EFCC Act to ensure that no president, regardless of their power, can appoint the commission’s directors. The judiciary or the Senate should appoint the chairman and board members of the EFCC to ensure independence from presidential control,” he concluded.
