Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, the 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish the state's financial records. In his Independence Day message, Iyovwaye urged the governor to make the state's financial records available to the public, citing the need for greater transparency in the management of Delta's resources. This, he believes, would strengthen public confidence in the government and enable citizens to assess how public funds are being deployed.
Iyovwaye's challenge comes as Delta State is one of the richest states in Nigeria, yet there is little to show for it on the ground. He questioned the level of sacrifice made by the governor's administration, pointing out that the governor's own budget has increased yearly from 2024 to 2026. Iyovwaye described this as "expansion without explanation." He emphasized that sacrifice without service is hypocrisy and called on the governor to demonstrate leadership that sacrifices for the benefit of the people.
The NDC governorship candidate also expressed concern about the high level of youth unemployment in Delta State, which stands at 64% among the active employable youth demographic. He noted that the state has four ports – Warri, Koko, Sapele, and Burutu – that can provide jobs for 50,000 Deltans, but they are currently idle. Iyovwaye criticized the administration for wasting taxpayers' resources on "meaningless jamboree National summits" that have yielded zero output.
Iyovwaye stressed that patriotism is not just a sermon, but a job, a working port, and a working hospital. He called on the governor to demonstrate patriotism by creating jobs and fixing the state's problems. The state's unemployment rate stands at 40.36%, with many young people seeking greener pastures outside the state.
In his message, Iyovwaye also referenced the governor's statement that public office is held in trust, not for family. He agreed with this statement and asked the governor to show the trust by publishing the state's spending records. Iyovwaye requested a breakdown of how the administration has spent monies generated from revenues and allocations from FAAC from 2023 to 2026.
Iyovwaye's challenge is seen as a call for accountability and transparency in the management of Delta State's resources. The governor's administration has been criticized for lack of transparency, and Iyovwaye's request for spending records is seen as a step towards holding the administration accountable. The state's financial records have been a subject of controversy, with many calling for greater transparency.
The issue is likely to spark a debate about transparency and accountability in the management of public funds in Delta State. Iyovwaye's request for spending records is a challenge to the governor's administration to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability. The governor has yet to respond to Iyovwaye's challenge.
Key points
- Deacon Chris Iyovwaye challenges Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish Delta State's spending records from 2023 to 2026.
- Iyovwaye cites the need for greater transparency in the management of Delta's resources to strengthen public confidence in the government.
- The state's high unemployment rate, particularly among young people, is a major concern, with Iyovwaye calling for job creation and economic development.
