Nights Before Oborevwori’s Award

BY PATRICK MGBODO

TWO nights before Delta State Gover­nor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori was set to ascend the stage to receive his coveted Governor of the Year award, shadows danced in the corridors of op­position. In a dimly lit room, somewhere cloaked in anonymity, a digital merce­nary hunched over a flickering screen. His weapon of choice wasn’t steel but keystrokes, his mission—simple yet sin­ister—was to smear the Governor’s hard-earned reputation. Desperation dripped like sweat from his hurried fingers as he crafted a web of lies, the last arrow in a quiver emptied by repeated failures.

But as he worked feverishly, perhaps he forgot an ancient truth: “When the roots run deep, no storm can topple the tree.” Little did he know that his frantic effort was destined to be swept away by the unshakable foundation of integrity and trust the Governor had painstak­ingly built.

The popular African proverb, “It is the tree with ripe fruits that people throw stones at,” must have originated in the rain forests, where trees blossom with fruits of diverse shapes, colours, and flavours. These fruits, which nourish both humans and animals, do not ripen simultaneously or year-round. Their scar­city often heightens their value, drawing attention to certain trees while others are ignored.

In this context, the fruitful tree sym­bolizes Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whose productivity and achievements have naturally drawn both admiration and scrutiny. His success, much like ripened fruit, has become a magnet for praise and contention alike as was the case just before he bagged the Governor of the Year award.

It came as a rude shock to Deltans when a spurious online publication al­leged that Governor Oborevwori had taken a fresh N40 billion loan. Even more appalling was the timing of the claim, coinciding with the governor’s by This­Day/Arise TV, one of Nigeria’s foremost media outfits.

The online report seemed like a calcu­lated attempt to tarnish his reputation and bring Delta State into disrepute, espe­cially as critics found no credible grounds to undermine his administration since they have all witnessed his infrastructural strides across the entire Delta landscape.

Despite the public’s general dismissal of the fake news, the Commissioners for Works (Rural Roads) and Finance, Hon. Charles Aniagwu and Sir Fidelis Tilije, swiftly intervened to set the record straight. Their decisive responses not only thwarted the detractors’ efforts but also shielded the public from consuming toxic and misleading propaganda.

While addressing members of the pen profession in Asaba, the state capital, Hon. Aniagwu emphasized Governor Oborevwori’s unwavering commitment to transparency in managing the State’s affairs since assuming office nearly 19 months ago. He highlighted the admin­istration’s achievements in completing inherited projects and initiating new ones, all executed within the state’s avail­able resources.

According to Hon. Aniagwu: “At no time in the last 19-and-a-half months has the state made any move to ask anybody to give us money in the form of a loan. We are only using what is available to us— our internally generated revenue and the Federation Accounts Allocation Commit­tee (FAAC) allocations. We have not, at any time, borrowed a penny. So, we were surprised when we saw a report on one of the online platforms suggesting that we are number one in terms of borrowing. We do not know where that came from.”

Corroborating Hon. Aniagwu’s state­ment, Sir Fidelis Tilije, the Dean of the College of Commissioners, reiterated that the state government has not entered into any borrowing agreements since Governor Oborevwori took office.

“Delta remains the strongest financial state in Nigeria,” Tilije asserted. “The claims by the online platform are a spon­sored fallacy intended to demean the gov­ernor’s award. We have paid so much in terms of contractual obligations and have improved relationships with contractors.

‘’Before now, it was difficult to give advance payments, but as we speak, virtually all major contracts awarded by this administration have received 30 per cent advance payments. In fact, we are considering paying up to 70 per cent during this dry season to mitigate infla­tionary trends.”

Tilije further highlighted the ad­ministration’s financial prudence and commitment to value for money. “What Governor Oborevwori is doing in terms of creating value for Deltans is clear for all to see. He has carried out several project inspections to ensure that every kobo spent translates to tangible benefits for the people. I state categorically that Delta State has not borrowed one kobo from any institution whatsoever since May 29, 2023.”

Addressing claims by the online plat­form, which cited the Debt Management Office (DMO) to allege that Delta’s domes­tic debt increased from N304 billion in June 2024 to N342.5 billion in September 2024, Hon. Aniagwu urged journalists to verify the state’s debt profile before Gov­ernor Oborevwori’s tenure. He explained how the administration reduced inher­ited debts while continuing to execute legacy projects.

“In any case, awarding legacy projects automatically adds to our debt profile, even if contractors are yet to raise cer­tificates for payment,” Aniagwu clarified. “For a reporter to claim that an increase in the debt profile equates to borrowing reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of journalism.”

Sir Tilije elaborated, noting that the in­crease in debt profile stems from ongoing contractual obligations. “The fact that the debt profile increased from N304 billion to N342 billion does not mean we have borrowed money. It includes legacy debts from previous administrations, which we are systematically repaying. Addition­ally, when we approve and award new contracts, it naturally reflects in the debt profile. This is standard practice for any dynamic institution or state.”

He further explained: “The increase in the debt profile signifies economic vibrancy and financial capacity. It shows that we are expanding contractual obliga­tions and delivering dividends of democ­racy across Delta State. When roads are built and human capital is empowered, the state’s economy thrives.”

The Finance Commissioner also as­sured Deltans of the state’s financial resilience. “Delta is the strongest state financially. Even if FAAC does not exist for the next three years, we have the capacity to meet our contractual obligations and sustain governance until 2027.”

Meanwhile, Hon. Aniagwu reminded journalists that Governor Oborevwori has consistently prioritized workers’ welfare, implementing the new minimum wage with its consequential adjustments and ensuring timely salary payments. He cautioned newsmen to conduct due diligence before publishing information.

“For the state to borrow money, the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly must be involved. Have we done any of these? Where is this report coming from?” Aniagwu wondered.

Undeniably, Governor Oborevwori’s administration continues to prioritize accountability and the welfare of Deltans, ensuring that every decision is guided by the principles of transparency, financial prudence, and development.

Governor Oborevwori has dedicated the award to Deltans for their unwaver­ing trust and support, stressing that ‘’this recognition is not just a personal achieve­ment; it demonstrates our collective efforts and dedication to transforming our dear state. Together, we have made significant strides and I am excited to promise that there is even MORE to come. Thank you for this incredible recogni­tion’’ Governor Oborevwori said.

As the television screen flickered, an oppressive silence settled over the op­position camp. Their defeat hung heavy in the air, a bitter pill they swallowed in muted resignation. Once again, Governor Oborevwori had outclassed them—ef­fortlessly, without so much as raising his voice.

In the dim corner of the room, a hood­ed figure lingered in the shadows. His hands clenched into fists as the weight of his failure bore down on him. His heart raced, not from shame alone but from fear—fear that his dismal attempt might sever the lifeline of his employers’ favour. Desperation swirled in his mind, a silent plea for mercy: that his failure would be forgiven, and his place on the payroll secured, even if only by a thread. But deep down, he knew—the roots were too deep, the tree too sturdy. The wind had come and gone, but it was he who stood toppled.