‘Show Deltans The Numbers’: Iyovwaye Demands Transparency From Oborevwori
By GEORGETTE CHIDI
DEACON Chris Iyovwaye, the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Delta State, has challenged Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to publish the state’s spending records from 2023 to 2026.
Iyovwaye made the demand after Oborevwori’s Independence Day address at Living Faith Church on Ibusa Road, Asaba. The governor had urged Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, courage and patriotism.
However, Iyovwaye argued that citizens had already made significant sacrifices. Instead, he said, government leaders should demonstrate sacrifice through transparent spending and measurable development.
Demand for Financial Disclosure
The NDC candidate questioned the state’s fiscal management between 2024 and 2026. In particular, he alleged that government operational budgets increased yearly without sufficient justification.
He therefore called for a detailed disclosure of Delta’s internally generated revenue and its Federation Account Allocation Committee, or FAAC, receipts from 2023 to 2026.
Iyovwaye also demanded a breakdown of how the state used the 2025 FAAC windfall. He wants the government to show how much went into job-creating capital projects, recurrent expenditure and what he described as political settlements.
According to him, greater transparency would allow residents to assess the relationship between the state’s revenue inflows and visible development.
Jobs, Ports & Economic Development
Beyond public finances, Iyovwaye focused on unemployment and economic opportunities for young people.
He cited a general youth unemployment figure of 40.36 percent and said the rate was even higher among the active youth population. However, he questioned why Delta continued to experience economic challenges despite its substantial revenue base.
He also criticised government spending on national summits while the state’s ports at Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu remain largely inactive.
Iyovwaye argued that revitalising the ports could create thousands of jobs and strengthen economic activity across the state. He further claimed that the lack of opportunities was contributing to the movement of young Deltans elsewhere in search of employment.
Minimum Wage & Cost of Living
The opposition politician also questioned the impact of the state’s ₦77,500 minimum wage in the face of rising inflation and living costs.
Although he acknowledged the wage increase, he argued that higher prices had reduced its practical value for workers and households.
Similarly, Iyovwaye linked patriotism to tangible improvements in people’s lives. He said government should demonstrate it through employment, functioning infrastructure and effective public services.
Call for a Government Reset
Responding to Oborevwori’s reference to Jeremiah 29:7 during the Independence Day address, Iyovwaye said prayers for peace must be matched by concrete action.
He argued that structural development, transparency and job creation were necessary to strengthen peace and public confidence in the state.
Iyovwaye consequently called for what he described as a “RESET” focused on transparency, industrialisation and employment.
He also urged Deltans to remain prayerful while closely monitoring government expenditure.
As of the time of filing the report, the Delta State Government had not publicly responded to Iyovwaye’s demands for the publication of its financial records.
