The New Delta Coalition (NDC) has lambasted the Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Fidelis Tilije, for his recent claim that the state is the strongest financially in Nigeria. The coalition branded this assertion as “a blatant falsehood” designed to deceive the public and obscure the state’s true financial struggles.
In a statement signed by Godwin Anaughe, the group expressed its outrage, emphasising that Tilije’s statement is at odds with verifiable economic data. According to the NDC, Delta State lags behind several other Nigerian states in critical areas like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and financial sustainability.
“This egregious lie is an insult to the intelligence of the people of Delta State and a desperate attempt to conceal the state’s dire financial situation,” the statement read.
The coalition pointed to official statistics that show Lagos State leads with a GDP of ₦41.17 trillion, while Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Imo States boast GDPs of ₦7.96 trillion, ₦7.77 trillion, and ₦7.68 trillion, respectively. In stark contrast, Delta’s GDP stands at just ₦6.19 trillion, rendering Tilije’s claim not only inaccurate but laughable.
The NDC also criticised the state for its failure to translate its substantial federal allocations into meaningful economic growth. Despite receiving the highest allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC), Delta State has failed to harness its resources effectively, resulting in a GDP that the coalition argues should be at least three times higher.
“If Delta State’s financial resources were judiciously managed, its GDP should be more than triple its current level. This glaring disparity between the state’s potential and actual performance is a clear indication of the government’s mismanagement and lack of accountability,” the NDC stated.
The group further compared Delta’s financial management to that of its neighbours, Edo and Anambra States, both of which have shown fiscal discipline and generated sufficient IGR to cover operating costs. For example, Anambra generated ₦42.04 billion in IGR, surpassing its recurrent expenditure of ₦20.67 billion. By contrast, Delta State’s IGR is a mere 38.4% of its operating expenses, with a budgeted IGR of ₦134.09 billion against a staggering recurrent expenditure of ₦348.77 billion for 2025.
“After 25 years of PDP governance, Delta State remains unable to cover its personnel costs of ₦185.75 billion without relying heavily on federal allocations. This is a clear indication of financial mismanagement and a lack of economic growth,” the coalition added.
The NDC accused the Delta State Government of reckless spending, corruption, and a lack of transparency, resulting in underdeveloped infrastructure, poor healthcare, failing education, and rising unemployment.
“The consequences of this mismanagement are far-reaching, resulting in a lack of funds for critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. This has led to widespread poverty and unemployment, causing immense suffering for the people of Delta State,” the NDC stated.
The coalition called for transparency and accountability, urging Deltans to demand the truth and hold the government accountable for its failures.
“Chief Tilije’s attempt to deceive the public is a desperate bid to deflect attention from the government’s failures and maintain a veneer of credibility,” the coalition stated.
It warned that the administration’s persistent falsehoods about the state’s financial position are a betrayal of the public’s trust, showing that the government is more interested in propaganda than addressing Delta’s economic challenges. The group concluded by urging Deltans to support a new era of transparency, responsible governance, and financial prudence in the state.
