2023: PDP Replies Tinubu Over Comments On Delta's Poor Infrastructure

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State has replied to scathing comments from the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, over the state's poor infrastructure.

During his presidential campaign rally at the Warri Township Stadium on Saturday, Tinubu slammed the opposition party for failing to develop the region despite its huge federal allocation.

“Delta is among Nigeria’s largest oil and gas producing states. Revenue from oil and gas has historically been the backbone of government revenue and foreign exchange earnings.

“As such, your state and other oil producers have made a one-of-a-kind financial contribution to the building of modern Nigeria. The nation is thankful to you.

“Delta has all it takes to be great and help lead the nation forward. Yet, for the past 23 years, those governing your state have taken you for a hard and long ride by selling you short.

"They have not done the things they should have and could have done for you.

“The infrastructure in the state was better 30 years ago than it is now.

"The state has recorded historic debts run up by the incumbent, yet the infrastructure and other things still remain lacking because of underinvestment and neglect.

“The money is much, but it does not have legs. Where did it go? Not to your welfare.

"Perhaps, it has found a home with a certain presidential candidate, who loves Dubai more than Nigeria.

“But Delta State is not an ATM for migratory politicians. It is a place where good and hardworking people reside and work to create decent and peaceful lives for themselves and their families”, Tinubu stated.

Responding to the criticism, the state Commissioner for Information, Charles Aniagwu, told Tinubu to go and clear himself first as his identity was still unknown.

He added that Delta State is not like Lagos Tinubu has "put in his pocket".

“We don’t have time to respond to somebody whose identity is still unknown.

"Let him first of all go and clear himself; when and where he was born, the schools he attended and other records about him so we can know who we are talking to.

“Somebody whose records are still in doubt cannot be the one talking.

"Our state cannot be in his pocket the way he did Lagos. Delta is not Lagos and our people cannot be deceived by such a person.

“With the kind of wonderful defeat and disgrace he, the APC and Adams Oshiomhole suffered in the last Edo State governorship election, we thought he would have learnt some lessons.

"That 2020 defeat in Edo will be child’s play compared to what they will suffer in Delta State in 2023.

“Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been prudent in managing the state economy.

"We have a lot of infrastructure on ground for all the money that accrued to the state, ranging from roads to bridges, schools and human capital development.

"Their (APC) governorship candidate did not tell him that the road from the airport to the stadium is a federal road the APC-led Federal Government failed to fix.”