Independence Day: Iyovwaye challenges Oborevwori to publish Delta spending records - The Guardian Nigeria News
The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish details of how the state’s resources are being spent.
Iyovwaye made the call in his Independence Day message, urging the governor to make the state’s financial records available to the public.
He said greater transparency in the management of Delta’s resources would strengthen public confidence in the government and enable citizens to assess how public funds were being deployed. Iyovwaye also maintained that, “Sacrifice without service is hypocrisy”.
“With respect, Your Excellency, Deltans have sacrificed enough. What is missing is leadership that sacrifices,” the NDC governorship candidate said.
“The Governor speaks of sacrifice from the altar of our sacred church, but sacrifice must be seen in the budget. Let us face facts.”
Pobing further, Deacon Iyovwaye asked: “Where is the sacrifice when Delta is one of the richest states in Nigeria, yet there is nothing much on the ground that equates with what Delta State has generated and received from revenues and FAAC allocations, respectively. Governor, what sacrifice has your administration made?
“You have increased your own budget yearly from 2024 to 2026. That is not sacrifice. That is expansion without explanation.
“Where is the patriotism when our ports are dead, and our youths are leaving? You said we should pray for peace and prosperity. Governor Oborevwori, prayer without work is hopelessness.”
Iyovwaye stressed that Delta State has four ports – Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu that can give jobs to 50,000 Deltans but the level of youth unemployment has failed to drop.
“They are idle, yet your administration has wasted taxpayers’ resources on meaningless jamboree National summits that have yielded zero output,” he said.
“Our young people are still seeking greener pastures outside because there are no jobs here, and our state has been turned into a keke state.
“Delta has an unemployment rate of 40.36%; youth-specific unemployment in the region has been estimated to be significantly higher—reaching upwards of 64% among the active employable youth demographic.
“If we love Nigeria, we must fix Delta State. Patriotism is not a sermon. It is a job. It is a working port. It is a working hospital. You also said public office is held in trust, not for family. We agree. Show us the trust.
“You said, “Every position you hold is held in trust for the people, not just for you and your immediate family.” Your Excellency, we agree.
“So in the spirit of trust, can you publish: – A breakdown of how your administration has spent monies generated from revenues and allocations from FAAC from 2023 – 2026.”
