Utomi Replies Uduaghan: You Mortgaged Delta State, Future Of Our Children

The war of words between the former Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan and Prof. Pat Utomi is anything far from over as the latter has responded to Uduaghan`s disapproval of him.

It would be recalled that Uduaghan had last week criticised professor Utomi over his criticism of Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa`s administration for financial mismanagement.

Professor Utomi had accused Governor Okowa of mismanaging the state’s funds.

But Uduaghan, while replying the Proprietor of Lagos Business School and 2019 Delta State governorship aspirant, urged Utomi to “ not tell lies about government to achieve his aspiration.

“He has contested for the Presidency; he now wants to be the Governor. But, I think he should start from his Ward, he should contest for Councillor” Uduaghan had said.

But Professor Utomi, in his response turned attention to the former Delta State governor, where he asked Udughan to give account for the N20 billion he allegedly squandered on the Independent Power Project (IPP).

Utomi said, “Uduaghan should give account for the Independent Power Plant, IPP project abandoned in Oghara which has gulped over N20 billion.

“Such waste is still being experienced today in the state under the current administration.”

Utomi added, “Governor Okowa was right to raise an alarm about the over N600 billion debt that he claimed to have inherited. He has however, proceeded to increase this debt burden by over N60b of his own. This is only further mortgaging Delta state and the future of our children.

“I am pleased to hear the former Delta State Governor, Uduaghan respond to my comments on the poor state of finances in Delta State. To my mind, it is the direction of engagement that I hope will raise the quality of public discussions and move our democracy towards better serving the people. I therefore, feel obligated to respond to the issues raised and to set the records straight for the benefit of the general public.”

Uduaghan, again responded by saying , “It is very interesting that Prof Utomi quickly rushed to respond to me, again with tales that were full of falsehood.

“I will surely respond with further details and more information on Prof Pat Utomi, who was the last Managing Director of the once vibrant Volkswagen Company of Nigeria and Chairman of the South-South summit held in Asaba to let our people know that Prof Utomi does not have what it takes to govern Delta.

“He is the one contesting to be Governor of Delta State and not me. Let people properly evaluate him,” Uduaghan added.