The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Delta State, Chris Iyovwaye, has challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish details of the state’s revenues and Federal Account Allocation Committee receipts from 2023 to 2026.
Iyovwaye made the demand in a statement on Friday in reaction to Oborevwori’s Independence Day message, in which the governor urged Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, courage and patriotism.
The NDC candidate said Deltans had made enough sacrifices and demanded greater transparency in the management of public funds.
“With respect, Your Excellency, Deltans have sacrificed enough. What is missing is leadership that sacrifices.
“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.
Iyovwaye specifically asked the governor to disclose how the state spent revenues and FAAC allocations received between 2023 and 2026.
He also asked the administration to state how much of the 2025 FAAC receipts was spent on capital projects and how much went to recurrent expenditure.
“Can you publish a breakdown of how your administration has spent monies generated from revenues and allocations from FAAC from 2023-2026?
“How much of the FAAC windfall in 2025 went to capital projects that created jobs, and how much went to recurrent and political settlement?” he asked.
On job creation, Iyovwaye called for the revival of activities at the state’s ports, arguing that the Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu ports could provide employment opportunities for thousands of Deltans.
“We have four ports – Warri, Koko, Sapele, Burutu – that can give jobs to 50,000 Deltans,” he said.
He said government policies should be measured by their impact on residents, including access to jobs, roads, water, healthcare and education.
“Patriotism is not a sermon. It is a job. It is a working port. It is a working hospital,” Iyovwaye said.
The opposition candidate also acknowledged the state government’s increase of the minimum wage to N77,500 but said the rising cost of living remained a challenge for workers.
He called for a “reset” of governance in the state, centred on transparency, industrialisation, job creation and accountability.
“What Delta needs now is not another Thanksgiving speech. What Delta needs is a ‘RESET’.
“A reset to transparency, to industrialisation, to real job creation, to a government that publishes its accounts and respects the trust of the people,” he said.
Iyovwaye urged residents to remain engaged in the affairs of the state and demand accountability from those in government.
“I call on all Deltans to remain prayerful, but also to become watchful. Prayer built this nation, but accountability will save it,” he added.
