Delta Is Dying While Politicians Feast, UK-Based Scholar Declares War on Failed Leadership After Emerging ADC Guber Candidate

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has thrown a political grenade into Delta State politics after producing UK-based academic, Dr Emmanuel Usivwoghene Unuafe, as its governorship candidate in a dramatic consensus primary that quickly turned into a fierce indictment of the state’s political establishment.

Emerging unopposed after other aspirants stepped aside during the Asaba primary monitored by INEC officials, journalists and civil society groups, Dr Unuafe wasted no time launching a blistering attack on decades of what he described as failed leadership, economic destruction and abandonment of ordinary Deltans.

The Arden University lecturer and Project Management expert declared that Delta State, despite its massive oil wealth and human resources, has been reduced to a shadow of itself by leaders who failed to build sustainable industries, empower youths or create functioning public institutions.

“Delta State had industries that once gave us pride. Today they are dead. Our youths are talented, educated and energetic, yet many are roaming without opportunities because those in power refused to harness their potential,” Unuafe said.

In what appeared to be a direct swipe at previous administrations, the ADC candidate lamented the collapse of key state industries including Delta Glass Company, textile factories and port infrastructure, accusing the political class of presiding over economic decay while citizens suffer worsening hardship.

Describing himself as “a village boy who understands suffering,” Unuafe said Delta people are tired of recycled promises and cosmetic governance.

“I was not born with a silver spoon. I know what ordinary people are going through because I lived it. The people are angry, frustrated and tired of watching a resource-rich state sink deeper into failure,” he declared.

The ADC flagbearer unveiled what he called a “rescue blueprint” aimed at breaking Delta’s dependence on oil politics through aggressive investment in agriculture, rural infrastructure, technology and entrepreneurship.

He promised to channel massive investments into farm-to-market roads, cold-chain export systems and policies designed to put more money directly into the hands of farmers and small business owners instead of political middlemen.

In another explosive remark, Unuafe condemned the condition of public workers, especially judiciary staff, describing their working environments as “an embarrassment to governance.”

“It is criminal that workers operate under terrible conditions while billions are allegedly being spent in government. That culture must end,” he stated.

The governorship hopeful also vowed to digitize up to 80 percent of government operations to block corruption leakages, improve transparency and dismantle bureaucratic waste that has drained public resources for years.

On healthcare and education, he accused past leaders of neglecting rural communities and allowing public institutions to collapse while citizens struggle without basic services.

He pledged to upgrade healthcare centres across every ward, improve teachers’ welfare and training, expand internet access in schools and establish technical colleges to prepare Delta youths for the modern digital economy.

Unuafe further promised a radical energy transition programme involving gas-powered electricity, solar farms, wind turbines and waste-to-energy projects, insisting that Delta must stop behaving like a poor state despite its enormous natural wealth.

He argued that recycling and environmental cleanup programmes could become major job creation channels for unemployed youths if properly managed.

In a surprising twist, the UK-based academic also announced plans to establish football academies across the state, saying sports development could become a powerful escape route from poverty and crime for many young people.

Speaking after the primary, Delta ADC Chairman, Engr. Austin Okolie, described the exercise as proof that the party represents a new political direction built on discipline and transparency rather than godfatherism and internal chaos.

“This is not politics as usual. Delta people are ready for a complete change,” Okolie said.

Chairman of the ADC Primary Screening and Electoral Committee, Hon. Jerry Ojiale, dismissed reports of internal crisis within the party, insisting that the ADC in Delta remains united under one recognized structure approved by INEC.

The primary election was held at the ADC secretariat in Asaba under the supervision of electoral officials, journalists and civil rights observers.