The 2027 governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has issued a firm call for immediate structural governance reforms, demanding full fiscal transparency, accountable leadership, and aggressive job creation to reset the state’s economic trajectory.
Speaking during an address at the newly inaugurated NDC Campaign Headquarters along Okpanam Road in Asaba on Thursday, Iyovwaye stated that despite Delta State’s vast crude oil revenues and rich natural endowments, the state suffers from high unemployment, infrastructure deficits, and underdevelopment caused by persistent fiscal opacity.
“We see a rich state, but our people are poor. We see a state that has received more money than many African countries, but our schools are dilapidated,” Iyovwaye declared. “It is time to reset Delta State. We must move away from total dependence on federal allocations and build a diversified, private-sector-led economy driven by industrialisation, technology, agriculture, and strategic investments.”
Outline his vision for governance, Iyovwaye committed to running an open-budget administration where every naira spent by the state government will be accessible to the public.
“We will run a transparent government where every kobo spent will be published. No more hidden budgets. No more inflated contracts. Deltans will know what enters and what goes out,” he pledged, promising regular public financial audits and performance tracking dashboards.
On economic revival and employment, the industrialist and energy executive noted that his administration would prioritise youth skill acquisition, enterprise funds, and local processing hubs to curb rising unemployment. “We will create an economy where our young people will build, not beg,” he added.
The venue hosted key party leaders and political figures, including the NDC Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, who attended in solidarity. Supporting Iyovwaye’s vision, Obi reiterated the need for competent leadership across the Niger Delta region.
The Director of Media and Publicity for the Chris Iyovwaye Campaign Organisation, Chief Ovie Okpare, spoke to reporters following the event, emphasizing that the candidate’s agenda rests on a disciplined, enterprise-driven approach to public administration.
“Deacon Chris Iyovwaye is bringing executive enterprise discipline into public governance. Our campaign is anchored on an 11-point flagship agenda covering security, infrastructure, local government reforms, healthcare, and job creation across all 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State,” Okpare stated.
Iyovwaye urged Deltans across all senatorial districts; Urhobo, Anioma, Itsekiri, Ijaw, and Isoko, to reject tribal sentiment in the upcoming 2027 polls and vote for structural change.
