From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
Delta State Governor Chief Sheriff Oborevwori has lampooned the APC-led administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for unleashing economic policies on Nigerians that are gradually turning the country into the world’s poverty capital.
Oborevwori attributed the unprecedented hunger, poverty, and mass unemployment currently being faced by Nigerians to the economic policies deployed by the APC government.
The governor specifically frowned upon economic policies such as the controversial petroleum subsidy removal and the floating of the Naira, saying that whatever gains the subsidy removal would have brought have been swallowed by Naira devaluation and galloping inflation.
He spoke in a statement signed by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou, while reacting to comments made about the PDP administration in Delta State by former Deputy Senate President (DSP), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.
Omo-Agege, at an APC event where the daughter of former Governor Chief James Ibori defected from the PDP to the APC, applauded the economic policies of the Tinubu-led government, stressing that they have led to increased federal allocation to states and local governments, rising economic growth rates, declining imports, higher exports, and higher incomes for farmers.
He was also quoted as saying that, despite the huge federal allocation coming to the state due to Tinubu’s economic policies, there are no meaningful projects or developments to show for it, despite the state government and local government areas receiving over N900 billion over the last one year and six months.
The former DSP specifically accused Governor Oborevwori of mismanaging Delta State funds and paying debts with what’s left, despite increased federal allocation and revenue from the 13% derivation.
But in a reaction, Governor Oborevwori disputed the assertions made by Omo-Agege, questioning the value of the increased funds amidst galloping inflation, Naira devaluation, and widespread poverty.
He asked, “Can we really talk of increased money in any state in Nigeria? What is the worth of such money in the face of galloping inflation, gross devaluation of the Naira, unparalleled hunger, mass poverty, mass unemployment, and daily closure of major factories and multinationals in the country?”
The governor, in the statement, also emphasised that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) have stated that Tinubu’s economic policies are not working, transforming Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world.
“Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have rightly stated that Tinubu’s economic policies are not working. These policies have transformed Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world, with over 130 million people living below the poverty line,” he said.
He maintained that Tinubu’s economic policies have unleashed economic hardship on Nigerians and are not a desirable model for Delta State.
“Is this the model that Omo-Agege is recommending for Delta to copy? A model that has unleashed economic hardship on the people? Why would anyone recommend APC’s T-pain as a remedy to our woes? Obviously, this is not a path desirable for Deltans and one they would want to embrace at this time,” the statement added.