By Watchmann

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration has come under heavy criticism for what has been described as a grand celebration of mediocrity, following the approval of N275 billion for 76 projects in Delta State.

The New Delta Coalition (NDC) has strongly condemned the governor’s claims of “history-making” achievements, arguing that the projects being paraded as groundbreaking are merely basic expectations of a functional government.

In a press release signed by Godwin Anaughe, the NDC dismissed the triumphalist rhetoric of the Oborevwori administration, particularly from his spokesperson, Charles Aniagwu, who described the projects as “record-breaking.”

The coalition questioned why the highest recipient of FAAC allocations, which has received over N1 trillion under the current administration, would be so proud of delivering the bare minimum while the state remains plagued by unemployment, poverty, and decaying infrastructure.

“This reveals a deeper issue – a lack of ambition and vision in the state’s governance, highlighting the governor’s ineptitude and the alarmingly low standards of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State,” the statement read.

The NDC argued that after nearly two years in office, Governor Oborevwori should be delivering transformational projects that create jobs and improve living conditions, rather than presenting routine government responsibilities as groundbreaking feats. It accused the administration of ignoring key economic opportunities arising from President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, which could significantly boost development if properly harnessed.

“Rather than leveraging strategic investments in sectors like water supply, power generation, industrialization, agriculture, and housing, Governor Oborevwori has settled for mediocrity,” the statement continued. “Delta State should be pioneering economic reforms, not clinging to outdated governance models that prioritize patronage politics over genuine development.”

The NDC also raised red flags over financial mismanagement, particularly the opaque handling of project finances and the introduction of a 40% mobilization fee without disclosing individual project costs. The coalition warned that such financial irregularities would perpetuate a cycle of abandoned projects, corruption, and cronyism, enriching political loyalists while leaving the state’s economy in ruins.

Furthermore, the group berated the administration’s over-reliance on FAAC allocations, which have increased due to Tinubu’s economic policies, arguing that rather than developing alternative revenue streams, the state government is stuck in a “cap-in-hand” mentality—waiting for Abuja’s monthly allocations while failing to implement sustainable economic strategies.

“This lack of foresight raises serious concerns about the state’s long-term financial sustainability,” the coalition warned. “A competent administration would be building a resilient economy that thrives on industrialization, investment, and internally generated revenue, rather than celebrating handouts from the federal government.”

The NDC lamented that Delta State has suffered for decades under weak leadership, calling Oborevwori’s underwhelming performance yet another reminder of the deep-seated lack of vision, leadership, and accountability that has stifled progress in the state.

“We demand a government that strives for excellence, not one that settles for mediocrity and then stages elaborate celebrations,” the coalition declared. “Deltans deserve bold, transformative leadership, not a government that parades basic governance responsibilities as historic achievements.”

As 2027 approaches, the NDC is calling on Deltans to demand better governance, insisting that real progress will only come when citizens reject the PDP’s cycle of underperformance and embrace a new era of leadership that prioritizes competence, transparency, and development.