Tinubu’s Statement on Flyovers: Was the President Targeting Sheriff Oborevwori?

Delta Decides

Reactions continue to follow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent remarks regarding state governors boasting about flyover construction, with many viewing the comments as a direct rebuke of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori.

While the President’s commentary on flyovers came as no surprise to observers, it has reignited intense debate across Delta State regarding government priorities and economic performance.

Although political appointees and loyalists maintain that the governor is performing while many residents continue to express frustration over what they describe as a lack of clear economic direction in the state.

Random interviews conducted with local residents revealed that while widespread economic hardship is often blamed on the Federal Government, many Deltans feel the state government has failed to cushion the effect.

Speaking with our reporters, Mr. John Ifeanyi noted that savings from the removal of the fuel subsidy and foreign exchange unification have significantly boosted allocations to state governors.

“The governor was expected to create economic pathways to buffer the hardship, but instead, these resources seem to end up benefiting only a few,” Ifeanyi said.

He added that the 2027 election would serve as a deciding moment for Deltans to hold the state government accountable for how federal allocations have been utilized.

Preliminary survey findings by our reporters suggest growing public dissatisfaction, with several respondents accusing the Sheriff administration of failing to alleviate poverty over the past year.

Another resident, Mr. John Azuka from Ika, pointed out that state financial records show Delta receiving over ₦60 billion monthly in allocations.

He raised questions over the total cost of the flyover projects at the Uromi Junction, in Agbor and those in Warri.

Azuka argued that the cost of all four flyovers combined represents less than three months of the state’s total federal allocation, making it unreasonable for the administration to frame them as its primary achievement.

“Let’s be frank,” Azuka stated. “If you deduct the cost of these flyovers—which is less than three months’ allocation—from what the governor has received since taking office, where is the rest of the money?”

He urged Deltans to demand transparency regarding state resources and called on the government to urgently address widespread hunger and economic distress.