13% Derivation: Ask Okowa to account for ₦250billion received – Adams Oshiomhole tells Deltans
Former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has called on Deltans to enquire from Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa how he spent the over ₦250billion derivation fund which was recently disbursed to the oil-producing states by President Muhamadu Buhari.
GbaramatuVoice recalls that Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the payment of funds owed to states in the Niger Delta since 1999.
Reacting to this development, Oshiomhole on Saturday during the All Progressive Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Warri stated that Deltans should ask Governor Okowa questions on how the funds that was given to Delta State was spent.
ALSO READ: Matters Arising from the 13% derivation fund to Delta state
Speaking in pidgin English, Oshiomhole said: “Yesterday, I nor know whether una listen to Governor Wike of Rivers state. He talked say our president, Muhammadu Buhari, gave all the Niger Delta states plenty money wey PDP under Obasanjo from 1999, he nor gree give them. And wetin dem collect, even Edo sef got more than 100 billion Naira.
“If Edo get N100 billion, Delta make una go ask Okowa, Go to Asaba if him hear wetin Wike talk, your brother from Rivers State. Him talk say Delta got over N250 billion Naira. This is not from federation account but from arrears of derivation. You got over N250 billion, you got over another N60 billion for refund of federal roads, you collected N10 billion to pay salary arrears and another N10 billion to pay workers pension. Okowa how come? So you must to ask am wetin Wike talk na true?
The former labour leader also lamented the state of pensioners in the country adding that if APC gubernatorial aspirant, Ovie-Omo-Agege emerges governor, he will do far better than the incumbent governor.
Oshiomhole also berated Gov. Okowa for not keeping to the agreement of the southern governor’s forum which the governor heads. It could be recalled that the southern governors met in Asaba, the Delta State capital and agreed that the next president after Buhari should be someone from a southern part of the country.
However, the decision of the PDP to zone their ticket to the north and Governor Okowa accepting to be the running mate of Atiku Abubakar has continued to spark reactions as many including Oshiomhole sees Okowa as someone who couldn’t “keep to his words”.
Oshiomhole said: “If a man cannot stand on his word, if there is no character, if your word is not your bond, what qualifies you to preside over Nigeria? “
Also speaking at the occasion, Senate President, Ahamed Lawan, described Omo-Agege as an accomplished lawmaker as he has brought unprecedented development to his constituency, Delta Central.
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