Delta State  government has condemned the federal government’s economic policies, saying “It has unleashed unprecedented hunger, poverty and mass unemployment on Nigerians, turning Nigeria into the world’s poverty capital. "

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was reacting to the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies by a former Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege.  

Omo-Agege, at an All Progressives Congress, APC, event, said, “The president’s economic policies have led to increased federal allocation to states and local governments, rising economic growth rates, declining imports, higher exports. 


He 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 and local governments receiving over N900 billion over the last one year and six months.”


The former deputy president of the Senate had specifically accused the  Governor Oborevwori of “Mismanaging Delta State funds and paying debts with what is left despite increased federal allocation and 13% derivation.”


But in a statement signed by his Executive Assistant on New Media, Mr Felix Ofou, in Warri on Monday, the governor 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.”


Oborevwori, however, disputed Omo-Agege's claim, noting “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.