The recent flurry of activity by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Delta State has reignited conversations around financial accountability and political morality in Nigeria’s sub-national governance.
Investigations currently underway indicate that approximately ₦1.3 trillion allegedly misappropriated during the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa is at the center of a burgeoning scandal. Credible sources within Asaba affirm that the current Governor, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, has also been implicated in several financial transactions requiring urgent clarification.
Dr. Okowa, who once held national attention as Vice Presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 elections, now finds himself ensnared in an ethical crisis of immense proportions. His silence and evasiveness in the wake of these revelations only deepen public suspicion. Rather than confront the issues head-on, he has chosen the path of strategic retreat, thereby reinforcing the perception of complicity and moral weakness.
Edmund Burke aptly observed: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” However, in this case, the former governor’s apparent participation in administrative subterfuge suggests not just inaction, but an active betrayal of public trust. It is a stark reminder that leadership devoid of ethical moorings can rapidly degenerate into transactional governance.
Equally troubling is the political maneuvering that followed. The mass defection of prominent Delta PDP stalwarts to the All Progressives Congress (APC) defies ideological logic. These were individuals who, until recently, openly lambasted the APC as a political structure culpable for Nigeria’s systemic decline. Their realignment raises fundamental questions about integrity and motivation in our political class.
One cannot overlook the strategic undertones of these defections. With allegations looming, several high-profile figures, Okowa and Sheriff among them, appear to be seeking sanctuary under the APC’s umbrella, leveraging the widely held belief that membership in the ruling party guarantees institutional protection. In Nigeria’s current political climate, “once you join the APC, your sins are forgiven” has transitioned from satire to a painful axiom.
As Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly during Okowa’s tenure, Governor Oborevwori was undeniably close to the locus of power. His name surfacing in questionable transactions is, therefore, unsurprising to seasoned political observers. What alarms many, however, is the speed and scale of his disavowal of the PDP, the very platform that elevated him to gubernatorial status.
In abandoning the PDP, both men have effectively dismantled the political structure that nurtured their rise. The disintegration of the Delta PDP is not the result of external opposition, but a self-inflicted implosion orchestrated by its erstwhile leaders. This is a political tragedy defined not by ideological defeat, but by personal greed and institutional betrayal.
Abraham Lincoln once said: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Okowa was tested, and he faltered. Instead of using power to build, he stands accused of siphoning resources, evading scrutiny, and abandoning the democratic ethos that once defined his political rhetoric.
Meanwhile, there are rumblings beneath the surface of the South-South APC. A fresh conflagration appears imminent. With trillions allegedly in their political war chest, Okowa and Sheriff will not settle for secondary roles in the APC hierarchy, either in Delta or the broader Niger Delta region. Their entry has already begun to shift internal dynamics.
Power players such as Nyesom Wike and Ovie Omo-Agege should brace for an ideological and resource-driven turf war. The arrival of these new actors, burdened with baggage and yet armed with deep political networks, threatens to destabilize an already volatile coalition. Siminalayi Fubara, quietly gathering momentum in Rivers State, adds another complex layer to this political chessboard.
Indeed, this is not just a political realignment, it is a convergence of ambition, suspicion, and unresolved rivalries. It is a contest not for the soul of the South-South, but for dominance, patronage, and immunity. And in this mêlée, the people’s welfare is again reduced to a footnote.
“There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need,” Mahatma Gandhi warned, “but not for man’s greed.” That greed, insatiable, calculated, and systemic, remains the principal driver of Nigeria’s moral decay. The Delta situation is a microcosm of a nation enthralled by corruption and devoid of statesmanship.
As citizens, we must resist the temptation to normalize betrayal and rebrand corruption as political strategy. Integrity must not be a negotiable currency in our governance systems. If we fail to demand transparency and accountability, we risk entrenching a cycle of impunity that will consume future generations.
Interesting days lie ahead, no doubt. The fireworks have only just begun. As for me, I’m off to check how much a popcorn machine costs on Amazon, this unfolding drama promises to be unmissable.
Deacon Darlington Okpebholo Ray is a Journalist, fellow of the British College of Journalism, Human Resource Management Expert (CIPD), PhD student in International Politics and Conflicts Resolution, Socio-political Rights Activist and Publisher of Truth Live News. Hewrites from Greenwich, London, England.