DELTA-NEWSWATCH

The Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian has raised serious concerns over alleged widespread corruption and financial mismanagement in the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), calling on anti-graft agencies to immediately investigate the commission. In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s spokesperson, Comrade Steven Luke, accused some members of the current DESOPADEC board and certain staff of turning the interventionist agency into what he described as “their private business venture and ATM machine.” Luke alleged that the level of corruption in the commission had reached an alarming stage, insisting that urgent intervention by relevant anti-corruption agencies had become necessary to save the oil-producing communities from continued neglect and underdevelopment. According to him, despite the huge allocations accruing to the commission from the 13 percent oil derivation fund, many communities in the ma...

The Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NCSF) has called for an immediate investigation into the management of the 50 percent share of the 13 Percent Oil Derivation Fund allocated to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), following the recent one-year tenure elongation granted to the Commission’s Governing Board. The forum described the extension of the board’s tenure on May 26, 2026, as questionable and capable of undermining public trust, accountability and transparency in the management of resources meant for oil-producing communities in Delta State. In a strongly worded statement signed by the Forum’s Coordinator, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, in Warri, Delta State, the group insisted that the state government ought to have compelled the board to publicly render a comprehensive account of its stewardship before considering any extension of tenure. According to the Forum, if the board had genuinely performed creditably, there would have been visi...

The Convener of No Jobman for Governor 2023, Comrade Steven Luke, has blasted the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, , and members of the House for passing a vote of confidence and approving an extension for the DESOPADEC Board members. Speaking with newsmen in , Comrade Steven Luke alleged that, over the past few years since the present DESOPADEC Board was inaugurated, there have been no meaningful projects executed across oil-producing communities in the state. He further stated that nothing positive has come from the leadership of Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, accusing the Speaker of supporting what he described as a failed board that was originally established to develop oil-producing communities in Delta State. According to Comrade Steven Luke, the present DESOPADEC Board members cannot point to significant projects or visible developments they have carried out despite the huge funds allocated to the commission. Comrade Steven also alleged that the Delta State O...

My good people of Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency, with a man like Hon. Kingsley Abugewa OUS is OK, everyone can testify that he is accessible even without holding any political office in Uvwie. He is a man with vision who understands the needs of the people at a time like this. Hon. Kingsley Abugewa is not just a man of words; he is a true grassroots mobilizer who has always worked tirelessly for others, and we all know him very well. It is time for us to stand with him because we believe he can truly represent the good people of Okpe, Uvwie and Sapele Federal Constituency. He is indeed Mr. Development. With Hon. Kingsley Abugewa OUS, our voice will be heard in the Federal House of Representatives because he has continued to impact lives and support the people even without holding public office. Together, let us support a man of the people, a man with capacity, vision, and commitment to development.

The Convener of the Village Boys Movement, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Steven Luke, has criticized the youths of Emevor Community in Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State for accepting megaphones from Chief Emmanuel Erezih, the Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Beautification. Speaking with newsmen in Isoko North Local Government Area, Comrade Steven Luke said Chief Emmanuel Erezih should be ashamed of himself for coming to distribute megaphones to the people of Emevor Ward 7 while failing to secure meaningful employment opportunities for the sons and daughters of the community. According to Comrade Steven, Chief Emmanuel Erezih does not mean well for the people, noting that since his appointment as Executive Assistant on Beautification, he has hardly maintained communication with the community. He further alleged that now that elections are drawing near, Chief Erezih has suddenly returned to seek the support of the same people he abandoned for ...

The Convener of the Village Boys Delta State Chapter, , has criticized the City Boys Movement in Delta State over what he described as unrealistic promises ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking with newsmen in , Comrade Steven Luke dismissed the group’s claim that they would deliver 2.7 million votes for the ruling party, , in Delta State during the 2027 elections. According to him, a similar situation played out during the 2023 presidential election when supporters of were confident of victory in Delta State, but the outcome of the general election proved otherwise. He said political groups should avoid making promises they cannot fulfill. Comrade Steven Luke further stated that the individuals recently inaugurated into the City Boys Movement in Asaba lack the capacity to mobilize and convince people to vote for the in the 2027 elections. He described many of those appointed into key positions within the movement as “stomach infrastructure youths,” alleging t...