The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial Campaign Organization for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has warned the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa against dipping his hand in the state treasury to fund the presidential campaign of his principal, Atiku Abubakar.
On Thursday, June 16, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar confirmed the Governor of the oil-rich state as his running mate for the 2023 election.
Okowa’s emergence as Atiku’s running mate has since generated tons of reactions.
For many, it came as a surprise, for the South-South and South-East Governors, it was a betrayal as they had advocated the full presidency for an Igbo candidate.
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Many also expected Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to be the best choice considering how hard and consistent he has been in holding the PDP together and the fact that he was the runner-up to Atiku in the presidential primary election.
Omo-Agege’s campaign team has, on its part, expressed worries that Okowa could be exploiting the Delta State’s treasury to finance Atiku’s campaign and other political activities ahead of the 2023 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, Director, Communications and Media Strategy for Senator Ovie Omo-Agege Delta APC Gubernatorial Campaign Organization, Ima Niboro said the call became necessary in the light of credible intelligence at its disposal that the 2023 General Election is a PDP conduit pipe to loot the state
The organisation reject any move by Okowa to use taxpayers’ funds and collective resources of Deltans to fund personal political ambitions.
The statement reads: “It is sad that on a day the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike approved immediate payment of outstanding gratuities, pension arrears and death benefits for retirees of Rivers State Public Service, the Delta State House of Assembly approved N25 billion loan for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa allegedly to plant palm trees.
“This is coming barely 49 days after the embattled PDP candidate, Okowa’s yes-man and Speaker of the state assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori Francis approved a controversial N150 billion loan.
“We have sufficient grounds to suspect that these loans are being taken to prosecute Atiku’s presidential campaign. We will not stand by and watch Okowa impoverish our people in order to enthrone a man who has nothing to offer Deltans in particular and Nigerians in general.
“If Governor Okowa had devoted half of the time he used in pursuing his Vice Presidential ambition to focus on governance, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
“As of today, the government is owing retirees over seven years of gratuities, pension arrears and death benefits while the state goes on autopilot for Okowa to pursue his personal ambition. Most retirees have resorted to commercial tricycle, popularly called Keke, for survival, some are bedridden, others have resigned to fate or even died while waiting for the present administration to pay their entitlements after 35 years of meritorious service to state and country,” the organisation reiterated.
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‘Don’t Impoverish Our People to Fund Atiku Campaign !’ – Omo-Agege Tells Okowa