The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has been asked to investigate an alleged payment of $3 million by the State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to some senior officials of the Peoples Democratic Party as part of lobbying efforts to secure the party’s Vice Presidential slot in 2023, according to a group called the Delta Centre for Integrity and Good Governance.
According to the group, the alleged $3 million “is the Delta people’s money being diverted for selfish political motives,” according to a statement signed by Comrade Stanley Oshiovorie.
As a result, the group has urged the EFCC to save the people of Delta State and recover the $3 million that it claims was already shared among PDP leaders in the name of allocating the VP slot to Delta State Governor.
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“The money belongs to the Delta people, and it must be reclaimed.” Instead of spending state funds on development, they are giving it to the highest bidder, according to the statement.
The group claimed that the $3 million was intended to sway key decision-makers, including Atiku Abubakar, the party’s presidential candidate, and his team, before settling on a concrete and acceptable candidate.
According to the group, $1 million of the alleged funds were set aside to lobby members of the party’s inner circle, while the remaining $2 million was set aside to lobby northern elders.
“It is Delta people’s money and it must be recovered,” read part of the DCIGG statement. They are using our state funds for the highest bidder rather than for development.
“The funds were part of Okowa’s cash set aside after he decided not to run for the Senate to be used for his earlier planned presidential bid.” Only God can keep Okowa from being Atiku’s running mate, he boasted recently.
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