Delta State is arguably among the richest states in Nigeria in terms of human and natural resources. Blessed with huge oil and gas deposits, it is the highest oil revenue earner in Nigeria. However, this wealth has not translated into development or a better quality of life for its citizens. Since the dawn of the current democratic governance in 1999, Delta State has been plagued by bad leadership, with each succeeding government worse than its predecessor.
Many consider the current Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, to be a man destined to lead Delta State at a critical juncture in its history. He overcame numerous challenges within and outside his party to be sworn in as the 5th elected governor of the state. However, like many kings who were ordained by God but failed according to Biblical accounts, Governor Oborevwori’s first year in office has left much to be desired.
During his campaign, the governor did not promise Deltans anything specific, only stating that he would “Do More” of whatever the immediate past governor did. There were no clear-cut visions or policies regarding infrastructure development, education, healthcare, security, or the welfare of Deltans. The only visible campaign mantra was “Ukodo Go Reach Everybody.” Under his leadership, Deltans are still unclear about the government’s policy thrust, with the “More Agenda” being the only notable slogan.
A critical analysis of the government’s performance suggests that Governor Oborevwori is either yet to fully take over the reins of governance and is currently acting as a placeholder for former Governor Okowa, who bankrolled his election, or he has yet to fully comprehend his functions and powers as the Executive Governor of Delta State. Some speculate that he is overwhelmed by the glamour of his office and is still enjoying his new status while true governance suffers.
During the 2023 governorship election campaign, the APC governorship candidate, Obarisi Ovie Omo-Agege, warned Deltans that electing Oborevwori would essentially be a third term for Okowa. Many believe that while Dr. Okowa has handed the governorship to Oborevwori, he still controls the strings, determining how resources are allocated. This dynamic is seen as slowing governance activities in the state, with Governor Oborevwori perceived as deferring to Okowa to avoid being labeled disloyal.
Close observers agree that apart from the overhyped and over-inflated N78 billion Julius Berger flyover project in Effurun, the completion of a few rural and urban roads initiated by the Okowa’s administration, and continued work on sections A and C of the Ughelli-Ozoro-Kwale-Asaba road, Governor Oborevwori has engaged in selective governance.
The previous administration’s initiative to equip young school leavers with technical skills through the revamping of technical colleges has stalled under Governor Oborewori’s watch. The Ministry of Technical Education has not had any memos approved in the past eight months, slowing this noble initiative.
The gains in the infrastructural facelift of Asaba, Delta State’s capital, have also nosedived. The agency responsible for improving Asaba, like its counterpart in Warri/Uvwie and environs, has become comatose. The governor has not approved any meaningful resources for these agencies to carry out their responsibilities.
The only two functioning ministries in the state in the last one year are the Ministry of Works (Higher and Urban Roads) with Comrade Reuben Izeze as the Honorable Commissioner and the Ministry of Works (Rural and Riverine Roads) led by Mr. Charles Aniagwu. Izeze, a close ally of the governor, represents Oborevwori’s interests, while Aniagwu, a trusted loyalist of Dr. Okowa was planted by the former governor to ensure the completion and full payment of road projects hurriedly awarded before the 2023 governorship election.
Other ministries in the state have been reduced to just paying staff salaries and handling minor administrative issues, with the capital components of their budgets left unattended. An insider familiar with the workings in Governor Oborevwori’s office revealed that the greatest impediment to effective governance is the governor’s inability to process and act on files sent to his office. Many critical files have gathered dust, some for over ten months, due to a lack of attention from the governor unless they hold special interest.
In the past one year, Governor Oborevwori in a bid to prove his ‘street credibility,’ has seemingly abandoned governance. He has devoted more time to attending social events like birthdays, housewarmings, marriages, and burials than attending to state business. Compounding the woes of Deltans, he is not known to easily listen to or take advice from his numerous aides, including his Senior Special Advisers and Executive Assistants, leaving many of his appointees disillusioned.
Can Deltans in good conscience hold Governor Oborevwori accountable for promises he never made? How many Deltans took the time to read through his hurriedly put-together campaign manifesto, encapsulated as the MORE Agenda, to understand what it offered before casting their votes? A man who remained mostly silent throughout the campaign, with former Governor Okowa speaking for him at all PDP local governments and ward-to-ward campaigns, and who only said “I Will Do More” is certainly doing more—the Ukodo don reach everybody!
Ovasa Ogaga, a journalist and public affairs analyst writes from Ughelli, Delta State.