By Barth Ozah
The Convener of Integrity Group of Delta State, Dr. Oke Idawene, has carpeted the All Progressives Congress in Delta State for spewing misleading information about the recent invitation of the former Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission EFCC.
Speaking in Agbor, the headquarters of Ika South LGA, during the inauguration of the LGA and wards executive committee of Integrity Group, Idawene cautioned the opposition elements against misrepresentation of facts regarding the former governor’s visit to the antigraft agency.
He described as baseless the claims that the former governor misappropriated N1.3 trillion funds representing 13% derivation funds of Delta State’s allocation from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.
Idawene noted that nothing can be further from the truth than such a baseless allegations saying DESOPADEC between 2015 and 2023 represents the most productive and active years of the interventionist agency given the projects executed and empowerment programmes it carried out in the said period.
“There’s absolutely nothing new about the news of the invitation of former Governor of Delta state, Sen. Okowa in Port Harcourt by the EFCC. Like in other sane society, it is normal for the anti graft agency to invite any former public office holder to account for and give clarification on any financial misappropriations under their watch based on allegations in form of a petition to the commission.
“Okowa is not the first and will never be the last to be invited by the anti graft agency, other ex governors have passed through this same process across the country. Some came out clean while others went in for it. Okowa did not loot Delta money. I urge APC not to heat up the Delta state polity.”
While commending the members of Ika South LGA for their commitment in strengthening the Integrity Group at the LGA, the Convener tasked the new executive to remain steadfast in their support for Oborevwori’s administration as the ambassadors of MORE agenda and You Matter Charity Foundation.
“Integrity Group of Delta State is working in synergy with Oborevwori’s administration in ensuring that every community in the state feel the impact of this government directly or indirectly that is why we are MORE agenda and You Matter Charity Foundation ambassadors. So you must promote and propagate the message of hope regarding Oborevwori’s administration in your LGA.” Idawene stated.
He commended governor Oborevwori for being prudence in running the affairs of the state maintaining that it was unprecedented for a governor to be in office for seventeen months without borrowing a koko despite massive developmental projects he has initiated and completed.
Evangelist Ebon John, the Administrator of Integrity Group, Ika South LGA, thanked the Convener and his entourage for coming to inaugurate the chapter promising to spread the message of the MORE agenda and You Matter Charity Foundation to every family in the LGA.