Oil producing communities in Delta State have issued a call for transparency and justice over the alleged mismanagement of a staggering ₦1.3 trillion in 13% oil derivation funds meant for host communities. The call, led by prominent environmental rights activist and developmentOil-producing advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has placed the spotlight firmly on both past and present political actors in Delta State.
Comrade Sheriff, who hails from the oil-rich Kokodiagbene community in the Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South-West Local Government Area, is urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately investigate how the funds were spent. He directed his appeal to EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, stressing that the probe must be free of political interference or favoritism, especially in light of recent political defections.
The former Kokodiagbene chairman, now the leader of the Association of Host Communities, pointed to widespread fears that the funds; meant to uplift impoverished communities ravaged by decades of oil exploitation have been diverted, misused, or completely misappropriated. He warned that without urgent intervention and a forensic audit of the 13% derivation allocation, the dreams of equitable development in the oil-producing areas could collapse completely.
In a particularly bold statement, Sheriff cautioned against allowing former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s recent defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to serve as a political shield from accountability. He insisted that no one should be above scrutiny, regardless of party affiliation or political influence.
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“If corruption is swept under the carpet simply because someone joined the ruling party, then Nigeria’s anti-corruption crusade is dead on arrival,” Sheriff stated emphatically. “Such impunity will not only destroy the future of host communities but also erode the moral fabric of governance in this country.”
He further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prove that his administration’s stance against corruption is not just a slogan. According to him, this case represents a litmus test for the EFCC and the entire anti-graft architecture of the nation.
As frustration grows in the oil-producing regions, community leaders, civil society groups, and concerned citizens continue to demand justice and equitable development. They argue that despite the trillions of naira generated from Delta’s oil resources, most host communities remain trapped in poverty, lacking basic amenities like clean water, roads, healthcare, and schools.
So far, the EFCC has not issued an official response to the allegations or revealed whether any investigations into the derivation funds are underway. However, all eyes are now on the agency to act decisively.