By: Ganiyu Olayinka
The 2027 governorship candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, Deacon Iyovwaye, has challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish details of how the state has spent its resources.
Iyovwaye made the demand in his Independence Day message, calling for greater transparency in Delta State’s financial management.
He said making the state’s financial records publicly available would strengthen public confidence in the government and enable citizens to assess how public funds were being deployed.
“Sacrifice without service is hypocrisy,” Iyovwaye said, arguing that Deltans had made sufficient sacrifices while demanding greater accountability from the state government.
“With respect, Your Excellency, Deltans have sacrificed enough. What is missing is leadership that sacrifices,” he said.
Iyovwaye questioned what he described as a disparity between Delta State’s revenues and what he said was visible on the ground.
“The Governor speaks of sacrifice from the altar of our sacred church, but sacrifice must be seen in the budget. Let us face facts,” he said.
He also questioned increases in the state’s annual budgets between 2024 and 2026.
“You have increased your own budget yearly from 2024 to 2026. That is not sacrifice. That is expansion without explanation,” he said.
Ports and employment
Iyovwaye also criticised the state of Delta’s ports and what he described as their failure to generate sufficient employment opportunities for young people.
He identified the ports in Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu and argued that greater economic activity around them could create employment opportunities.
“Where is the patriotism when our ports are dead, and our youths are leaving?” he asked.
Iyovwaye further criticised the state government’s spending on what he described as national summits and other events, questioning their economic impact.
“They are idle, yet your administration has wasted taxpayers’ resources on meaningless jamboree National summits that have yielded zero output,” he alleged.
He said young people continued to leave the state in search of better opportunities elsewhere.
“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,” he said.
Demand for financial disclosure
Iyovwaye also referred to Governor Oborevwori’s reported remarks that public office should be regarded as a trust held for the people rather than for an officeholder and his immediate family.
“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. Show us the trust,” he said.
He subsequently called on the governor to publish a detailed account of the state’s finances.
“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?” he asked.
The demand is part of Iyovwaye’s Independence Day criticism of the Oborevwori administration, particularly on financial transparency, public spending, employment and economic development.
The claims and criticisms in the statement are those of the NDC governorship candidate. Independent verification would be required for specific claims about government spending, employment levels, port activity, and the economic impact of public events.
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