News
FORMER BURUTU PDP ASPIRANTS DEMAND EFCC, ICPC PROBE OF TAKEME OVER ALLEGED ₦23.7BN FUND MISAPPROPRIATION
…Chairman’s PA Dismisses Allegations as “Spurious Imaginations of Failed Political Actors
By Perez Bibaikefie
BURUTU — Tension may be brewing in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State following a call by a forum of 20 former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship aspirants in the 2024 local government election for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the administration of the Executive Chairman of Burutu LGA, Chief Julius Takeme (JP), PhD.
The former aspirants, in a statement signed on behalf of the group by Jude Angodideke, Hon. Paul Oruma, Duncan Tamaradoubra Forcados, Chief Godspower Tomone, Chief Lucky Feizy Oweimieotu, Stephen Eniekezimene and Comrade Ozobo Austin, alleged that over ₦23.7 billion had accrued to the council from July 15, 2024, through the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years, with little or no commensurate development to show for the funds.
The group accused the council administration of alleged financial recklessness, lack of transparency and what it described as “zero development,” particularly in the areas of roads, healthcare, education, water supply, youth empowerment and other basic infrastructure.
“₦23.7 BILLION WITH NOTHING TO SHOW”
According to the former aspirants, Burutu Local Government reportedly had an ₦8.7 billion budget in 2025, while the council’s 2026 budget was put at approximately ₦15 billion.
They further alleged that between July 15 and December 2024, the council expended substantial funds despite, according to them, the absence of an approved budget covering that period.
The group consequently demanded a public account of how the council’s revenues for the period were expended.
“We are calling on all Burutu sons and daughters, leaders, critical stakeholders, traditional rulers, youth groups and civil society to force the imposed council chairman, Julius Takeme, to give a public account of how the 2024 allocation, the N8.7 billion budget in 2025 and how almost over half of the N15 billion budget of 2026 were spent,” the group stated.
The former aspirants questioned the alleged absence of visible development despite what they described as substantial inflows to the council.
“Where is the money? Our schools are still bad, no teachers and seats. The communal roads are impassable, no water projects and youth empowerment. Flooding is ravaging our communities. Health centres have no drugs and staff. But allocations are coming in every month. This is unacceptable,” they alleged.
They further claimed that the council receives revenue from statutory federal allocations, subsidy-related funds, excess crude revenue and internally generated revenue associated with the Forcados area.
CALL FOR FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
The group alleged that Burutu LGA received more than ₦8.7 billion in statutory allocation in 2025, excluding other revenue sources, and questioned why, according to them, a comprehensive account of the expenditure had not been made public.
They also alleged that elected councillors had been denied adequate access to information concerning the council’s finances.
The former aspirants described the administration as what they called the “worst” in Burutu’s history in terms of accountability, transparency and stakeholder relations.
They further accused the Chairman of allegedly operating a “one-man show,” neglecting stakeholders and failing to adhere to due process in the administration of the council.
THREATEN MASS ACTION, SEEK GOVERNOR’S INTERVENTION
The group warned that failure by the council chairman to render what they described as a comprehensive account could trigger mass action.
They also called on Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene in the matter and urged the Delta State House of Assembly, EFCC and ICPC to examine the financial affairs of Burutu Local Government from July 15, 2024, through 2025 and 2026.
The former aspirants also questioned the cost and pace of work on the new council secretariat and legislative complex, alleging that the projects were still at a preliminary stage and could not, in their estimation, justify an expenditure of up to ₦3 billion.
CHAIRMAN’S PA DISOWNS ALLEGATIONS
However, in a swift reaction, the Personal Assistant to the Burutu Local Government Council Chairman, Mr. Tanyare Richard, vehemently disowned the allegations when contacted by IduwiniVoice correspondent for his reaction.
Speaking to IduwiniVoice Newspaper, Mr. Tanyare described the allegations as “spurious”, saying they were, at best, the imaginations of what he described as “failed political actors and their sponsors” whose objective, according to him, was to rubbish the towering image of the council chairman.
According to him, the performance of Chief Julius Takeme is visible and open for the people of Burutu to assess.
“These allegations are spurious and, at best, the imaginations of failed political actors and their sponsors whose only game is to make attempts at rubbishing the good image of Mr. Chairman, whose scorecard is clear for all to see,” Mr. Tanyare said.
The Chairman’s aide maintained that the administration would not be distracted by what he described as politically motivated allegations.
He, however, stressed that the council chairman takes public trust very seriously and would shall authorise an official comprehensive response to the allegations.
TAKEME TO ISSUE POINT-BY-POINT RESPONSE
Mr. Tanyare disclosed that he would brief the Chairman on the development. According to him, Chief Julius Takeme (JP), PhD. would subsequently determine the appropriate response and, where necessary, authorise a detailed, point-by-point refutation or clarification of the allegations.
“I will contact the Chairman and brief him appropriately. He will, in turn, authorise a point-by-point refutation or clarification where necessary at the nearest possible time,” he said.
IduwiniVoice reports that efforts by its correspondent to obtain the direct reaction of the Burutu Local Government Council Chairman, Chief Julius Takeme (JP), PhD., were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report as neither calls were taken, voicenotes, nor texts received feedbacks.
Stay tuned as IduwiniVoice newspaper shall report the Chairman’s position on the specific allegations when made available. Meanwhile, the public is notified that the allegations by the former aspirants remain allegations, and no finding of financial misconduct against the Chairman has been established by any competent investigative or judicial authority based on the information available to IduwiniVoice at the time of publication.
By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh
The Delta State Government has expressed satisfaction with the progress of construction on the Ayakoromo Bridge across the River Forcados, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the project is completed by December 2027.
The Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, gave the assurance on Thursday during an inspection of the project alongside engineers from the state Ministry of Works.
Izeze acknowledged the challenges posed by the difficult terrain and weather conditions but commended construction firm Setraco for the progress recorded so far.
He said the ministry’s engineers had confirmed that construction was progressing according to schedule, while the quality of engineering work remained encouraging.
The commissioner, however, urged the contractor to intensify efforts to ensure timely completion without compromising construction standards.
He also commended ministry engineers for maintaining effective supervision during his temporary absence, stressing the importance of continuous monitoring to guarantee quality and adherence to the agreed timeline.
According to him, the bridge is expected to provide significant relief to residents of Egbo-Ide in Ughelli South Local Government Area and Ayakoromo in Burutu Local Government Area.
Speaking during the inspection, Setraco’s Project Manager, Nabil Chahiene, expressed confidence that the bridge would be completed by December 2027.
The Ayakoromo Bridge contract was awarded on December 16, 2022, at a cost of more than ₦39 billion.
The project is designed to establish a vital transportation link between the two communities, which are separated by the River Forcados.
Upon completion, the bridge is expected to ease transportation difficulties, improve the movement of people and goods, boost economic activities and enhance access to essential services for residents of the benefiting communities and neighbouring areas.
The state government has reiterated the need for sustained supervision and adherence to construction standards to ensure the project is delivered within the approved timeframe.
By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh
The Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI) has urged aggrieved delegates of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) to resolve their Bank Verification Number (BVN) issues with their respective banks and attend the programme’s verification exercise rather than resorting to protests.
The group said BVN-related challenges were not the responsibility of the Presidential Amnesty Office, insisting that affected beneficiaries should address the issues with their banks and present themselves for verification.
In a statement, IPDI maintained that protests would not resolve the alleged payment challenges, stressing that the affected individuals must comply with the verification process to establish their eligibility for stipends.
“No protest can solve your problem. Go and solve your BVN problems with your banks. Your BVN problems were not created by the amnesty office,” the group stated.
IPDI explained that the BVN requirement was introduced through banking policies and government directives, adding that beneficiaries were responsible for ensuring their BVNs were properly linked to their accounts.
The group also commended the PAP office for making provisions for accommodation and transportation to enable individuals in various camps to participate in the verification exercise.
However, IPDI alleged that some camp leaders were threatening protests because they were unwilling to undergo verification, claiming that the exercise could expose irregularities in their beneficiary records.
According to the group, some of the individuals allegedly involved in the planned protests had been using fictitious names to obtain bulk payments fraudulently.
IPDI further claimed that no genuine camp had complained about stipend payments, maintaining that the verification exercise was necessary to establish the authenticity of beneficiaries.
The group stated that the PAP office had demonstrated willingness to address legitimate concerns, urging affected individuals to cooperate with the process.
It also alleged that some camp leaders were resisting verification because they wanted to continue receiving bulk payments for individuals whose names had allegedly been used to collect stipends since 2009 and 2010.
IPDI called on the public and the National Security Adviser (NSA) to disregard what it described as attempts to generate public sympathy through protests.
The group reiterated that beneficiaries with genuine BVN-related problems should resolve them with their banks and participate in the verification exercise to facilitate the resolution of their payment challenges.
By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh
The Tompolo-led PBAT Door-to-Door Movement is set to take its mobilisation campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to Ekiti State, with a rally scheduled for Thursday, October 29, in Ado-Ekiti.
The programme, billed for the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, is expected to feature the distribution of campaign vehicles and materials to strengthen grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The movement is led by its Grand Patron, High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and is extending its activities to Ekiti following the inauguration of its structures in Plateau State on Wednesday.
The Plateau event, held in Jos, also featured the unveiling of 25 vehicles to support the movement’s outreach activities.
The Ekiti rally forms part of the movement’s ongoing efforts to expand its organisational presence across states and support the campaign for President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 general election.
Through its door-to-door approach, the movement aims to strengthen its grassroots network and coordinate campaign activities at the community level.
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