Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday engaged in a verbal duel with former National Vice-Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Cairo Ojougboh over his stinging attack that the governor operates a blank budget.
Ojougboh, an erstwhile top member of the Senator Amodu Sheriff faction of the PDP was recently quoted as charging that Okowa runs the affairs of the state without a duly signed budget.
Speaking with journalists at the state House of Assembly shortly after the presentation of the 2018 budget, Okowa said that the allegations by the top APC member were unintelligent and stupid considering his educational background.
Okowa charged: “In the first instance, I would not ordinarily want to react to comments made by somebody who though went to school but he is making unintelligent comments.
“You (journalists) were here last year when the budget was presented, the budget was considered and passed by the House, and you were there when the budget was signed.
“I have been to the National Assembly and I believe that the Delta State House of Assembly is very credible. We have followed the due processes which we have again started for next year’s budget.
“Is it possible to have a blank budget? Then what is the budget if it is blank? So his comments appear stupid and unintelligent, but somehow we are in a nation where anybody can say anything because of freedom of speech.
“However, it is only fair that people who went to school should speak in a manner that we went to school. When we speak unintelligently, it is unfair,” Okowa said.
The Deputy Speaker, Mr. Friday Osanebi condemned the unfair attack on the governor in respect of the 2017 budget and explained that the processes leading to the passage of the budget by the house and signing into law by the governor were were made public.