Governor of Delta state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has denied claims that he has misappropriated Delta state bailout fund amounting to 10 million dollars through United States (US) based Nollywood actress, Georgina Onuoha.
Governor Okowa denied the claims through a press release signed by the State’s Commissioner for Information, Patrick Ukah.
“We are appalled by the attempt to link Governor Okowa with the story by online media. We find it ridiculously tasteless and mischievous,” the statement read.
According to the statement, The Nation, quoting sources from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported that a serving governor from the South-south region, allegedly diverted $10m from the bailout fund for his state without mentioning any name.
“For the record, the state government has severally in the past given account of how the bailout fund the State got from the Federal Government was used,” said the statement, adding that “This can only be part of the unrelenting campaign of calumny and the ceaseless peddling of pernicious propaganda against the person and office of the Delta State Governor”.
According to the statement, “Governor Okowa is a responsible family man and a well respected public figure,” adding that the Governor’s “preoccupation has been and continues to be how to deliver on his promised S.M.A.R.T agenda to the good people of Delta State since he came to office”.
The statement said Governor Okowa “has received applause and commendations from far and near for being so focused and unrelenting in the pursuit of his vision for the state,” adding that the Governor “will not be distracted by any form of organized and orchestrated blackmail from any quarters”.
The statement read that the Governor is ready to take on any proceedings against anyone bent on denting the Governor’s name.
“If those who are bent on carrying out their devious and dubious campaign of calumny against the governor refuse to stop this infamous trade of theirs, we reserve the right to take any action deemed appropriate to seek redress,” it said.
Meanwhile, Governor Okowa has congratulated newly crowned Miss Ambassador for Peace Advocate, Queen Wanda Monye on her successful Peace Education Campaign in Delta state.
The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Charles Aniagwu said the people of the Delta State appreciates Queen Wanda Monye for taking out time to appreciate, educate and cater for students in Delta State.
The statement said the Governor has implicit confidence on the leadership qualities of Queen Wanda Monye.