Delta state chapter of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has accused governor Ifeanyi Okowa of what it described as gross financial misconduct as well as running the state as a personal company for the past one and half years.
The SDP leadership while giving the governor three weeks ultimatum to address Deltans on the state of finances of the state running into above N200 billion federal allocations, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the past one and half years, vowed to drag governor Okowa before any competent court of law in the land should he ignore the demands.
In a statement signed by the Delta state chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr. Oke Idawene, obtained by Hard Reporters, noted that Okowa is not running Delta State as an elected governor but as a Monarch and sole administrator.
“We the entire members of Social Democratic Party (SDP), Delta State chapter, after careful observation , critical analysis, and unbiased assessment of the one and half years of Okowa led government of Delta State in an enlarged stakeholders meeting attended by our party leaders, elders, women, men and youths, in Asaba, it was resolved that a three week ultimatum be issued to the governor to as a matter of urgency and importance address Deltans on the state of finances of the state especially the federal allocations, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in the past one and half years.
“Do you know that in the past one and half years, over N200 billion has come to Delta state from the federal account? Delta state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa received over N200 billion as an allocation from the federation account in the one and half years of the President Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC), and Delta state was ranked among five highest recipients and the question is that what has Okowa used all this money for when there are nothing on ground to show for it.? What happened to the Federal bailout funds, billions of naira loans granted him by Delta state rubber stamp house of Assembly? What has been happening to our Ecological Funds?, DESOPADEC 13% Derivation Funds? Our Local Government Funds?
“It is pertinent to note that workers (civil servants especially council workers in Delta State are in a very pitiable condition. We state categorically that Governor Okowa has performed far below Deltans expectation. Look at states like Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross Rivers even our neighbouring Anambra state has fared far much more better off when compared to oil rich Delta state. Our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is not properly been harnessed but shrouded in secrecy and been looted away by the governor and his cronies. The security within the state has dropped drastically in the last one and half years.
“We have it on a very good authority that DESOPADEC funds has been constantly diverted by Okowa to pay his over 2000 political appointees and for other personal use. Former Governors James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduagha religiously followed the N50 million contract limit, any project that is N50 million and above is usually taken to state Exco meeting for formal approval but Okowa came and selfishly and corruptly increased it to N250 million in the midst of this economic crunch. For the first time in history of our great state, commissioners, political appointees are mere errands Exco and sit and look team. Governor Okowa has been awarding contracts unilaterally to family and cronies using fraudulent company names.
“Okowa must account for every kobo he has received so far since he assumed office as the state governor. Delta State belongs to all of us. We make bold to warn that if in three weeks, all these issues are not addressed, we shall use all legal means to seek redress to ensure Deltans get transparent and good governance. We regret and apologize to Deltans for been part of the political synergy that brought Okowa to power. Deltans must reject Okowa now, Okowa is insensitive, clueless and above all lazy. We are calling on Anioma to give us a better and true and corrupt free son or daughter that can lead Deltans to the promise land come 2019.” the party stated.
The party while lambasting governor Okowa for misrule, warned the governor against what it called closed doors and closed hearts style of government in the state, adding that the party has observed with disappointment what he described as Okowa’s every weekend attendance of burial, marriage and birthday ceremonies of every dick and harry within and outside the state.
