Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa

Ifeanyichukwu Arthur Okowa, born on 8 July 1959, is a Nigerian doctor and politician who has held significant roles in Delta State’s political and administrative landscape.

He graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1981 with an MBBS degree, later working as a medical officer before entering politics.

Okowa first gained prominence in local politics, serving as Secretary to the Ika Local Government and Chairman of the Ika North-East Local Government Council (1991–1993).

He joined the PDP in 1998 and supported Governor James Ibori’s campaign, later serving as a commissioner in various state ministries, including Agriculture, Water Resources, and Health (1999–2006).

After leaving cabinet, he contested the 2007 Delta State PDP governorship primaries unsuccessfully but was appointed Secretary to the Delta State Government in 2007.

Okowa ran successfully for the Delta North Senatorial seat in the 2011 PDP primaries, winning re-election in a rerun, and later secured the gubernatorial nomination in 2014.

He was elected Governor of Delta State in 2015 and re-elected in 2019, becoming the first ethnic Ika or northern Delta resident to hold the office.

During his tenure, he established universities in Delta State, privatized Delta Line bus services, and faced controversies over privatization and financial irregularities.

Okowa was vice presidential candidate in the 2023 PDP presidential primaries alongside Atiku Abubakar.

His administration has been scrutinized for alleged mismanagement, including irregular expenditures and allegations of graft, including a 2024 EFCC investigation into alleged diversion of derivation funds.