The improved revenue allocation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has strengthened the capacity of state and local governments to deliver development projects across the country, former Governor of Delta State, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has said.
The former governor stated this when he hosted members of the Ukodo Nation Forum, led by its National Convener, Olorogun Morrison Olori, during a thank-you visit.
He noted that the fiscal reforms and improved revenue generation under the Tinubu administration have translated into visible progress in Delta and other states.
‘You may be in a position and still not have the resources to do what you want for the people. This is why we must thank Mr. President. He has engineered the revenue generation in such a way that states and local governments are no longer crying like before,’ Okowa said.
The former governor attributed the performance of his successor, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, in the past two years to this improved fiscal environment.
According to him, Delta has recorded major infrastructural achievements in the past two years.
‘There are projects that cost quite a lot of money. If you’re coming from Ughelli down to Asaba, if it’s just that road alone, we thank God. It speaks volumes,’ Okowa added.
The former governor said Oborevwori’s achievements have vindicated his decision to support him during the 2023 election, despite initial doubts.
‘You have started the politics of organising for your son early, and it’s very exciting to me. I want to thank all of you for starting this group, because it’s actually very important to us,’ Okowa told the delegation.
He said Oborevwori’s developmental strides have silenced critics who initially questioned his capacity.
‘People made all kinds of comments, as if the governor then was a nobody. But until you watch a man from the inside, you may not know who he truly is,’ he said.
The ex-governor condemned elitist politics, insisting that leadership should be based on capacity and service, not class identity.
‘Some people wanted us to go in the direction of ‘this person belongs to this class,’ or ‘that one is from the upper circle’. No. It’s about who has the passion to serve the people. Oborevwori is that person,’ Okowa stated.
Juxtaposing Nigeria’s current reforms and the economic transformations of China and Singapore, the former governor urged Nigerians to be patient with the Tinubu administration as the benefits of ongoing reforms continue to manifest.
‘There is inflation now; yes. But we must explain to Nigerians to be patient. In the next three years, we will begin to see the effect. See what China is today. Singapore too had to go through painful reforms. That’s exactly what President Tinubu is doing.
‘What we’ve been doing was destroying Nigeria, thinking we were building it. Someone now comes to repair, and we rain curses on him. But in the end, Nigerians will realise he came to fix the nation,’ Okowa said.
The ex-governor urged the Ukodo Nation Forum to continue mobilising grassroots support for Oborevwori and the Tinubu administration.
He noted that such a collaboration among the people would sustain development at the subnational level.
Responding, Olori said the group visited to show appreciation to Okowa for supporting Oborevwori’s candidacy back in 2023.
The Ukodo Nation Forum’s national convener described the decision as a solid foundation for Delta’s current growth.
‘You laid a trillion-dollar foundation for Delta State for choosing Governor Oborevwori in 2023,’ he said.
Olori promised that the forum, which cuts across the three senatorial districts, would continue to mobilise for the re-election of Governor Oborevwori and President Tinubu in 2027.
‘Both leaders are God-sent to redeem Delta and Nigeria at the most challenging times,’ he added.