The New Delta Coalition (NDC) has strongly refuted recent claims by Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, that the state is the strongest financially in Nigeria. In a statement signed by NDC representative Godwin Anaughe, the coalition labeled Tilije’s assertion as “blatant falsehood” and an attempt to mislead the public about the state’s economic reality.
Citing economic data, NDC pointed out that Delta State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of ₦6.19 trillion pales in comparison to Lagos State’s ₦41.17 trillion, as well as Rivers (₦7.96 trillion), Akwa Ibom (₦7.77 trillion), and Imo (₦7.68 trillion) states. Despite being one of the highest recipients of Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements, Delta’s economy has not reached its full potential due to what NDC describes as financial mismanagement and lack of accountability.
The coalition further compared Delta’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) with its recurrent expenditure, arguing that neighboring Edo and Anambra states have demonstrated better financial prudence. While Edo and Anambra achieved IGR-to-operating-expense ratios of 110% and 108.38% in 2024, Delta State lags significantly with a ratio of 38.4% for 2025, meaning it cannot fund its recurrent expenditures without relying heavily on federal allocations.
“After 25 years of PDP governance, Delta State still struggles to cover its personnel costs of ₦185.75 billion without external funding. This is a clear indication of poor financial planning and governance failure,” the statement read.
The NDC also accused the Delta State government of reckless spending, corruption, and lack of transparency, which it claims have resulted in deteriorating infrastructure, poor healthcare, and increasing unemployment. The coalition urged the government to take responsibility and work towards a more sustainable and transparent economic strategy rather than making misleading claims.
“The people of Delta State deserve the truth. The government must prioritize the welfare of its citizens rather than engaging in propaganda to mask its failures. It is time for transparency, accountability, and real economic development,” NDC concluded.
