Delta Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (middle) flanked on the right by his Information, Mr. Aniagwu Charles (left) and Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Delta State Chapter, Comrade Mike Ikeogwu ,( left) during the Governor’s 2022 Quarterly media interaction with journalists in Asaba on Thursday. Pix:JIBUNOR SAMUEL JIBUNOR
ASABA/Nigeria: Politicians in the country, especially those from Delta had been called to always tell truths to their followers when assessing the development of the state.
This was stated by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta while reacting to accusation of lack of development of the state by his government during the first quarterly media briefing held in Asaba.
The Governor who used the parley to further explain the N150 billion “Bridging Finance” facility, said was not a fresh loan but an advance from the N270 billion owed the state by the Federal Government.
He said that the N150 billion had been tied to projects embarked upon by his administration and his predecessor, explaining that the reason people questioned the approval of the facility by the House of Assembly was due to lack of information.
He pointed out that his administration would not take any decision that jeopardise the peace, unity and overall transformation of the state.
Okowa used the forum to debunk rumour of endorsement of any aspirant in all elective positions ahead of 2023 general elections, promising that the primaries of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be fair, transparent and credible.
“I have not endorsed any aspirant for any elective positions in the forthcoming general elections in the country. We shall provide a free, fair, transparent and credible party primaries,” the governor said.
On the allegation that he hijacked the list of delegates, he described it as the handiwork of mischief makers, stressing that those who were out to derail the process did not succeed.
For those criticising the policies and programmes of his administration, Okowa advised them to be factual, and assured that nothing would derail him from fulfilling all his electioneering campaign promises.
Meanwhile, the governor cautioned political office holders to, at all times, speak truth to power irrespective of party affiliation.
He said the allegation of N2 billion allegedly spent on political appointees was untrue, and dismissed the statement as “most unfortunate”.
