Alleged 1% Delta Govt Budget For Isoko Nation: It Is All Politics, They Are Lying About It – Okowa

Delta state Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has said that those alleging that his a administration marginalised the Isoko nation in the allocation of the capital votes in the 2018 state budget are only playing politics and lying about it.

The governor responded to the issue which has been on the front burner in the state since two weeks ago as reported by BigPen Online, at an event in Oleh , headquarters of Isoko South Local Government on Wednesday.

He said that at the appropriate time, he will address leaders and traditional rulers from the ethnic nation on the vexed issue.

Governor Okowa however expressed concern that some top politicians who ought to know because of “politics” were lying to their people and had helped to fuel the ‘rumour’ and ‘lies’, saying, ‘ I have no reason whatsoever in my life to belittle the Isoko man”.

According him, “as someone who believes in running a transparent and sincere government, my Administration will continue to ensure that the Isoko nation and indeed others continue to receive their fair share of the state’s commonwealth.

“By the special grace of God, I see myself as an Isoko man, and despite the rumour and lies that people are spreading which is not true, we will continue to do our best for the Isoko nation and all other persons  and all other nations that are part of Delta State.

“I swore an oath from beginning that I will be fair to all ethnic nationalities.  It is an oath I took before my God and I will continue to do exactly that.

“People should not play politics by spreading rumours. When you play politics and you speak the truth,  it is good enough. I didn’t need to say this, but, because, our traditional rulers are here, the things that we hear people say and they write about in the social media that the Isoko nation has one percent provision in the budget is not true, it is all politics, they are lying about it.

“That cannot be and it can never be so in the name of Jesus.

“When people who are highly placed lie to their people because of politics, it is highly unfortunate but, I know that I have no reason whatsoever in my life to belittle the Isoko man because, they have been nice to me, long before today and I will continue to be friends of the Isoko people and forever it shall be so, nobody will take it away from me because I see the Isoko nation as a home, he added.

Governor Okowa informed the gathering that “So many Isoko sons and daughters supported me hugely, I don’t need to mention their names in the course of my campaign to becoming Governor.

“I will not let them down, and I will not let our traditional institutions down. Times are tough but, times are getting better and I will continue to say it that I have no course to hide things from Deltans “.

Continuing, he said, “We have had very tough times but, I projected that from October 2017 things will get better and I can confess that things are getting better and by God’s grace, things will only get better and better in Jesus name (heavy chorus of Amen).

“By God’s grace we will not hide anything from Deltans , we have a pact with you to do what is right, I believe that the future holds greater prospects for us.

“At the appropriate time, I will be talking with our traditional rulers and our opinion leaders to let them know what we have in the budget of Delta State.

“People must just learn to understand the budget, but, for those who do not understand, what you need to do is to ask questions from those in the House of Assembly or Commissioners or other top government appointees to explain the budget to you.

“It is my duty as the Governor to let the people know what the truth is. May God bless Isoko nation. (Chorus of Amen from the audience.)

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