Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State, has faulted the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration saying “It has unleashed unprecedented hunger, poverty and mass unemployment on Nigerians, turning Nigeria into the world’s poverty capital.”
Oborevwori specifically criticised Tinubu’s economic policies, with particular emphasis on the petroleum subsidy removal and floating of the Naira, noting that “Whatever gains the subsidy removal would have brought have been swallowed by Naira devaluation and galloping inflation.”
Delta State Governor’s position was contained in a statement signed by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr. Felix Ofou, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Monday, in reaction to an earlier endorsement of the economic policies of the Tinubu-led Government by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, former Deputy President of the Senate.
Omo-Agege, at an All Progressives Congress event, declared, “The President’s economic policies have led to increased federal allocation to state and local governments, rising economic growth rates, declining imports, higher exports, and higher incomes for farmers.”
Omo-Agege was also quoted as saying, “Despite the huge Federal allocation coming to Delta State due to Tinubu’s economic policies, there are no meaningful projects or development 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 Deputy President of the Senate had specifically accused the incumbent Delta Governor of “Mismanaging Delta State funds and paying debts with what’s left, despite increased federal allocation and revenue13% derivation.”
Oborevwori, however, disputed the claim from Omo-Agege, questioning “The value of the increased funds amidst galloping inflation, Naira devaluation, and widespread poverty.”
The governor urged caution against embracing policies that exacerbate poverty and suffering.
Oborevwori asked, “Can we 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, daily closure of major factories and multinationals in the country?”
The governor also emphasised that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have stated that Tinubu’s economic policies are not working, transforming Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world.
Oborevwori’s rebuttal reads partly, “Both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have rightly stated that Tinubu’s economic policies are not working. The policies have transformed Nigeria into the poverty capital of the world, with over 130 million of the population living below the poverty mark.
“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? This is not a path desirable for Deltans and one they would want to embrace at this time.”
