Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has affirmed his administration’s alignment with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on financial autonomy for Local Government Areas, boasting that nearly N14 billion allocated to the councils remains intact and ready for the incoming chairpersons.
The Supreme Court’s landmark decision declared that it is illegal for state governors to control or withhold funds meant for LGAs, reinforcing the principle of financial autonomy as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Governor Oborevwori made this statement shortly after casting his vote in the Local Government Elections at his Osubi Community in Okpe Local Government Area. The elections, aimed at electing new local government officials across the state, have been a significant event for Delta State’s democratic process.
In his address, Governor Oborevwori described the election as free and fair, commending the peaceful conduct of the voting process and expressing confidence in a victory for the Peoples Democratic Party.
He stated, “When we did our grand finale, I promised Deltans that we want free and fair election, that is what we are doing now. Right from time my local government has been doing free and fair and that is what we are replicating here.”
Reflecting on his own electoral journey, Oborevwori noted, “I came through that same process of free and fair election and with all the opposition I won with very high margin, so I am assuring Deltans that this election is free and fair. I have been up since monitoring the process and now I am here to cast my vote, I have cast my vote and we are sure that there will be victory of PDP by the grace of God.”
On the Supreme Court ruling, Oborevwori emphasized that his administration supports the principle of financial autonomy for LGAs. He explained, “Then on the issue of the same court judgment. Supreme Court has given judgment but you can see that we believe in that same process. That is why when I came in I did not constitute a transition committee, I am not in support of transition committee and the HPMs are the ones handling the place and they were given three months to enable us to do the election today by the grace of God we are doing our election today.”
He further elaborated on the state’s adherence to financial autonomy, saying, “By early next week those who won will be sworn in by the grace of God. So on the issue of the Supreme Court judgment, it does not affect Delta State because in Delta State we don’t tamper with Local Government money, as we speak the money for the past three months is still there, almost N14 billion is still there waiting for the Chairmen to take over.”
Oborevwori concluded by affirming his support for the Supreme Court’s decision, reflecting on his past role in advocating for financial autonomy during his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly. “So we don’t touch government money, we augment. So whether the Supreme Court said they should have autonomy, I believe in financial autonomy. As a former Speaker, we were in the forefront of the issue of financial autonomy for the legislature and for the judiciary. The judgment does not affect Delta State, so we still believe in it,” he added.
