Okowa admits he knew PDP would lose 2023 presidential election

Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa says he knew the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would lose the 2023 presidential election before Nigerians went to the polls.

Mr Okowa, who served as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate alongside Atiku Abubakar, made the disclosure at an event in Delta State.

He said his assessment of the political situation had convinced him that the party could not defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Mr Okowa, he shared his prediction with Christian leaders before the election.

“I knew we would not win the election,” he said.

He added that he had also predicted the order in which the three leading parties would finish.

He said the APC would come first, followed by the PDP, while the Labour Party would take third place.

The 2023 election eventually produced a victory for APC candidate Bola Tinubu.

Mr Tinubu secured the highest number of votes, while Atiku Abubakar finished second. Labour Party candidate Peter Obi came third.

The result triggered legal challenges from both Mr Atiku and Mr Obi. However, Nigeria’s courts upheld Mr Tinubu’s victory after hearing the petitions.

Mr Okowa’s latest comments offer a fresh insight into the PDP’s expectations before the election.

At the time, the party entered the contest as one of Nigeria’s major political forces. However, internal divisions and the emergence of the Labour Party as a strong alternative affected the political contest.

For many voters, the election also marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape. Peter Obi attracted strong support, particularly among younger voters.

Meanwhile, Mr Okowa’s admission raises questions about the PDP’s internal assessment of its chances before the election.

It also highlights the difficulty political parties face when predicting voter behaviour in a closely contested election.