By Tina Osoro
Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, has briefed the press in Asaba to clear the air over allegations making the rounds in the media, questioning the emergence of the Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, as the running mate of the PDP presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar.
The commissioner reiterated that the governor was selected after intense deliberation by party stakeholders who felt that Dr Okowa in the light of prevailing circumstances was the best option.
He said ” We urge you to discontinue this position. No one has betrayed anybody because there are rules governing the country and none of them to the best of my knowledge has been bridged by the decision of the flag bearer of our party and also the decision of our governor to accept what is a recognition of our dear state and the many milestones we have recorded in the last seven years.”
Aniagwu stated that the oppositions rather than focusing on their campaigns, went around, paddling rumour because they were intimidated by the rising profile of His Excellency, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, which had dealt a big blow to their ambitions.
Speaking on the said 25 billion Naira loan, Aniagwu revealed that it was a fund coming from the CBN, adding that the state government was standing as a guarantor to enable farmers across the state access funds made available by CBN for sustainable agricultural development in the state.
He said ” CBN has a facility to be able to assist several persons across various sectors and what the CBN does is that the state government must be able to guarantee that if this fund is made available, the beneficiaries must be able to use it judiciously and also for CBN to be able to get back their funds.”
“Delta state as a responsible government decided to guarantee the farmers to help them get the funds and improve their yields. How does that become a wrong decision of government?” Aniagwu said.
He also clarified the status of the N150bn bridging finance, saying that the state government had not accessed the funds as alleged by the opposition party in the state.
He commended the press for their fairness and cooperation in promoting the activities of the state government.
