From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to name state governors stealing from the monthly allocation to local government councils in their states.
President Buhari had blamed governors for the pervasive underdevelopment of communities at the council areas, claiming that governors were tampering with the monthly allocations to the local councils.
But reacting in Asaba through his Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika, Okowa who is the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said it was unfortunate for the president to have made such a blanket statement.
He said Okowa cannot be counted among governors pilfering local council funds, noting that the state government, on a monthly basis, support councils in the state with N300 million to enable them pay salaries and stay afloat.
“He does this religiously. For a man who does that, how can he be among those stealing LG money? Our governor is not part of it.
“If a roll call is taken about the governors that fall in that bracket being referred to by Mr. President, certainly Okowa will not be there.
