By Mohammed Bello Doka
The National Coordinator of the New Delta Grassroots Movement, Engr. Felix Akpoyibo, has taken a swipe at Senator Dino Melaye over his recent comments praising the state of roads in Delta State, accusing him of being “handsomely sponsored” by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to whitewash the administration’s failures.
In a sharp rebuttal issued during a telephone interview with Abuja Network News, Engr. Akpoyibo expressed disappointment that a public figure like Melaye could “abandon facts for favor.” He said instead of commending the Federal Government for the ongoing infrastructural rehabilitation between Lokoja Auchi via Ekpoma, Melaye had chosen to indulge in “praise-singing politics,” allegedly orchestrated by Governor Sheriff to polish his image ahead of the 2027 Delta governorship race under the APC ticket.
> “Dino should focus on his new coalition in the ADC or simply join Sheriff in the APC, but he should stop acting like a senior data boy,” Akpoyibo said mockingly.
He dismissed Melaye’s remarks as a “misleading narrative” that does not reflect the true state of Delta roads, listing several key routes that remain in deplorable condition.
According to Akpoyibo, “There are no good roads in Delta State. The Ughelli–Ozoro–Asaba road is a failed project; Warri to Eku road is nothing short of a nightmare; Agbor–Obiaruku road is another disaster; and in terms of security, the situation is zero. Bandits and kidnappers have taken over several routes, yet Melaye claims all is well. Who is fooling who?”
He alleged that Melaye’s sudden admiration for Delta’s infrastructure “has all the markings of a political PR stunt,” aimed at repositioning Governor Sheriff as a performer despite the obvious decay in the state’s road network and public infrastructure.
Akpoyibo challenged Melaye to visit the affected communities without state escort and see firsthand the level of neglect, adding that “no one who genuinely travels through Delta’s internal and interlinking roads would ever describe them as remarkable.”
The activist further urged the Federal Government to intensify oversight of road projects in the South-South region to prevent misuse of funds and ensure accountability.
> “Dino Melaye’s comment is not just laughable, it’s an insult to the people of Delta who drive through potholes daily. If he is not being sponsored, why is he praising Sheriff?” Akpoyibo questioned.
He concluded by reiterating his movement’s commitment to exposing deceptive political propaganda while calling on Nigerians to distinguish between genuine infrastructural achievements and political drama staged for personal gain.
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