The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, Chris Iyovwaye, has called for greater accountability, transparency and job creation in the state.
Iyovwaye made the call in a statement issued on Friday in response to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Independence Day message, in which the governor urged Nigerians to embrace sacrifice, courage and patriotism.
The NDC candidate said Deltans had made significant sacrifices and argued that leadership should demonstrate a similar commitment through development programmes and policies.
“With respect, Your Excellency, Deltans have sacrificed enough. What is missing is leadership that sacrifices,” Iyovwaye said.
He called on the state government to publish a breakdown of how revenues and allocations from the Federation Account had been spent between 2023 and 2026.
“So in the spirit of trust, can you publish a breakdown of how your administration has spent monies generated from revenues and allocations from FAAC from 2023-2026,” he said.
Iyovwaye also questioned how much of the increased federal allocations in 2025 went into capital projects and job creation and how much was spent on recurrent expenditure.
He identified the state’s ports as potential drivers of employment, naming facilities in Warri, Koko, Sapele and Burutu.
“We have four ports – Warri, Koko, Sapele, Burutu – that can give jobs to 50,000 Deltans,” he said.
The governorship candidate said government policies should translate into better living conditions and greater economic opportunities for residents.
“If we love Nigeria, we must fix Delta. Patriotism is not a sermon. It is a job. It is a working port. It is a working hospital,” he said.
He also called for stronger delivery of basic infrastructure and public services across the state.
“Democracy is not just elections. It is clean water in Ndokwa. It is good roads in Warri. It is schools where our children can sit on chairs, not on the floor. It is hospitals with doctors,” he said.
On workers’ welfare, Iyovwaye acknowledged the state government’s increase of the minimum wage to N77,500 but said rising living costs remained a concern.
“Governor Oborevwori, Deltans are not lazy. We are not unpatriotic. We are tired,” he said.
Iyovwaye called for what he described as a “RESET” centred on transparency, industrialisation, job creation and accountable governance.
“What Delta needs now is not another Thanksgiving speech. What Delta needs is a ‘RESET’,” he said.
He urged Deltans to remain engaged in the affairs of the state and combine prayer with civic responsibility.
“Prayer built this nation, but accountability will save it,” he added.
