The governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has challenged voters to assess the state government’s performance on roads, security and job creation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Iyovwaye said the condition of these sectors should be central to the choice Deltans would make at the polls, arguing that residents were still facing serious economic and social challenges.
He spoke on Thursday at the inauguration and official opening of the NDC Delta State campaign secretariat in Asaba, where the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, former Deputy President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and other party leaders were present.
Iyovwaye questioned the continued support for the government despite what he described as poor infrastructure, insecurity and unemployment in the state.
“There is no road, there is no security, there are no jobs, and everything is out of place, yet they said they want to continue in power. Will you allow them?” Iyovwaye asked.
He urged supporters to take the 2027 election seriously, saying Nigerians should not accept the continued challenges facing the country.
“We cannot leave this country the way it is. 2027 is our year, and that is the year God has ordained for our turnaround,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Obi promised that an NDC administration would prioritise transparency, healthcare, infrastructure and development of the Niger Delta if elected.
He said Nigerians would be able to know how public resources were being spent under his administration.
“We are going to be transparent. We will tell you where everything is going to,” Obi said.
The former Anambra State governor also criticised the condition of infrastructure in the Niger Delta, citing the East-West Road as an example.
He said the region had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s wealth but had not received a corresponding level of development.
“One thing I can assure the Niger Delta is that the days when you do not see the impact of your wealth are gone,” Obi said.
On healthcare, Obi promised to improve medical facilities and reduce the need for Nigerians to travel abroad for treatment.
“We want you to visit the hospitals here so we can fix it. We will make it work,” he said.
Omo-Agege said worsening living conditions in Delta could increase support for Obi in the 2027 presidential election.
He cited poor electricity supply, unemployment and inadequate healthcare, saying the conditions that contributed to Obi’s support in Delta during the 2023 election had, in his assessment, become worse.
“Today, the things, the circumstances that threw up that vote have actually gotten worse. Our people no longer have power. Our people no longer have jobs. Our people no longer have hospitals to meet their medical needs,” Omo-Agege said.
He said the NDC would work to protect votes cast for Obi and expressed confidence in the party’s prospects across the state.
Omo-Agege said the party was targeting the three senatorial seats in Delta as well as a majority of the House of Representatives seats.
He also reaffirmed the party’s support for Iyovwaye, saying the NDC had resolved to back his governorship ambition.
The NDC House of Representatives candidate for Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency, Dr Obiuwevbi Ominimini, also questioned the impact of revenue allocations on development.
He said Nigeria generated significant revenue but questioned whether citizens were seeing enough benefits from funds shared among the Federal Government and states.
“Some of this money goes to the Federal Government, while some goes to the state governments. But where is the development? Do you feel the impact?” he asked.
Ominimini also raised concerns about roads and education, saying many parents were struggling to afford their children’s education.
The opening of the campaign secretariat marked the beginning of another phase of the NDC’s mobilisation in Delta, with the party presenting infrastructure, security, employment, healthcare and accountability as key issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
