Nigeria @66: Delta NDC guber candidate Iyovwaye seeks freedom from poverty, insecurity

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, has called for a fundamental “reset” of the state, citing  poverty, unemployment, insecurity, and what he described as poor governance.

Iyovwaye made the call in his Independence Day address to Deltans on Thursday, October 1, 2026, linking Nigeria’s independence from colonial rule to what he described as the need for Delta State to attain independence from poverty and underdevelopment.

The NDC candidate said independence should translate into improved living standards, employment opportunities, access to healthcare, security and good governance.

“Can we truly say we are independent? A man who cannot feed his family is not independent. A young graduate who has no job after four years in university is not independent. A mother who cannot take her child to hospital because there is no hospital is not independent,” he said.

Iyovwaye argued that Delta State had abundant natural and human resources but had not translated its wealth into commensurate development for its residents.

He cited the state’s oil and gas resources, coastline, fertile agricultural land and human capital as assets that, according to him, could support a more diversified and productive economy.

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