Widespread discontent is brewing in Delta State as concerned citizens raise alarm over what they describe as the systematic exclusion of qualified Deltans from both civil service employment and political appointments. Investigations by The Trumpet have revealed a disturbing pattern of favoritism, sexual exploitation, and corruption that allegedly undermines meritocracy in the state’s public workforce and governance structure.
According to findings, numerous vacancies exist across ministries and agencies in the Delta State Civil Service, but rather than being publicly advertised or filled through transparent recruitment processes, these job slots are now reportedly hoarded and distributed among politicians and top-level civil servants. This practice, which sources say became entrenched after the exit of former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, is leaving many qualified Deltans unemployed or at best, with tokenistic “empowerment packages” of N100,000 to N200,000, palliatives which often fail to make meaningful economic impact.
What’s more troubling to many citizens is the allegation that these empowerment packages are also misappropriated. Sources reveal that politicians hand them to loyalists, who in turn sell them to non-indigenes and remit kickbacks to the political benefactors.
“It is a grave injustice,” said a source within the State Secretariat in Asaba. “We have thousands of Deltans with valid qualifications but without opportunities, while jobs and appointments are given to people with connections or those who can offer ‘something else.’”
Multiple accounts from civil servants corroborate these concerns. A striking case came from a staff member of a key ministry who recounted how a female ex-corps member, allegedly the girlfriend of a top official, was offered a permanent role despite her repeated absenteeism during her NYSC year.
“The lady is neither maternally nor paternally Deltan,” the civil servant disclosed under anonymity. “She barely showed up at work, maybe twice a month for CDS. Everyone in the office knew she had a relationship with the director, and that’s why she got the job.”
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Such claims are not isolated. Several whistleblowers allege that civil service recruitment in the state is now largely driven by illicit exchanges and personal favors, especially involving young female corps members. There is growing concern that this culture of favoritism and transactional appointments is eroding the professionalism of the state’s workforce.
The rot, it appears, extends beyond the civil service to political appointments. Investigations reveal a trend where former corps members, mostly women, are elevated to positions such as Special Assistant (SA) and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) not based on their contributions or competence but on their personal relationships with powerful politicians.
“This is no longer governance,” lamented a Delta youth leader. “This is exploitation masquerading as development. We are watching non-Deltans take our jobs and appointments while our own people are pacified with N100,000 empowerment that barely feeds a family for a month.”
The consequences of this systemic abuse, analysts warn, may fuel resentment and disenchantment among the state’s youth population, many of whom are well-educated but excluded from opportunities in their homeland.
Efforts to reach key government officials for comments were unsuccessful as of press time. However, civic organizations are already calling for an independent investigation into the recruitment practices in the Delta State Civil Service and appointment protocols within the government.
In the meantime, citizens are demanding reforms, transparency, and equity in the distribution of public opportunities, insisting that the state must prioritize competence and indigeneity over personal relationships and favoritism.
“Delta belongs to all Deltans,” said a retired senior civil servant. “We cannot build the state on corruption, exploitation, and injustice. The time to act is now.”
