Stop the Bridges, Feed the People!” GOMEP-NG Back Tinubu’s Urgent Warning to Delta Governor

​For millions of Deltans battling rising living costs, crippling floods, and broken public schools, expensive multi-billion-naira flyovers feel less like progress and more like a betrayal. Now, following a rare, stern warning from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against wasteful white-elephant projects, top media editors are stepping in to demand an immediate end to “vanity infrastructure”—demanding that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori put the survival of ordinary citizens first.

A major political clash has erupted over how public funds are spent in Delta State. Following a stern warning by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against building unnecessary flyovers and bridges, media leaders are now demanding a complete shift in local governance priorities. The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) believes it is time for the state to focus on what citizens actually need to survive.

The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has urged the Delta State Government to re-evaluate its infrastructure spending following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s warning against unnecessary flyovers. The media group called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to reallocate funds toward urgent public needs, such as flood control, primary healthcare, affordable education, and job creation, while rejecting claims by Hon. Francis Waive that the President’s warning did not apply to Delta State.

ABUJA — Following a clear directive from the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, against the indiscriminate construction of flyovers and bridges, calls for administrative reform are growing. The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has officially urged the Delta State Government to reassess its development priorities. According to the group, public resources must be aligned directly with the immediate needs of the populace.

In a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, the Guild commended President Tinubu for addressing the issue.

State governors are being encouraged to prioritize projects that directly improve daily living conditions. The group stressed that costly infrastructure with limited impact on ordinary citizens should no longer be favored over human capital.

“Leadership should be measured by the quality of life enjoyed by the people and not by the number of bridges and flyovers commissioned,” Comrade Otiti stated.

Debunking Lawmaker’s Defense

The media group also strongly rejected comments made by Hon. Francis Waive, the member representing Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Hon. Waive had claimed that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was not among the state executives referred to in the President’s admonition.

However, the Guild openly questioned this defense.

“If President Tinubu’s warning does not apply to Delta State, then which governor was he referring to?” the statement asked.
The group urged elected lawmakers to defend public welfare rather than dismissing genuine community concerns.

Urgent Grassroots Needs Over Vanity Projects

While admitting that general road infrastructure is necessary, GOMEP-NG listed critical sectors that require urgent funding in Delta State:

Flood Mitigation: Severe flooding continues to destroy communities across the state. Poorly executed drainage projects are allegedly making the situation worse instead of providing relief.

Affordable Education: Rising public school fees are placing a heavy financial burden on low-income families.

Sustainable Jobs: While temporary construction work is helpful, long-term, skill-based jobs are needed to empower the youth.

Basic Utilities: Persistent power outages and the lack of a reliable state transport system are crippling local economic growth.

“The true wealth of any state is reflected in the well-being of its people,” Comrade Otiti concluded. “Urgent investigation and appropriate remedial action must be taken to address these pressing needs.”