The projects, approved during a recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, sparked widespread criticism and allegations of marginalisation.
Two Abuja-based lawyers from the Isoko ethnic nationality of Delta State have sued the state government over the alleged exclusion of Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas from a recently approved N230 billion worth of capital projects across the state.
The projects, approved during a recent Executive Council (EXCO) meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, sparked widespread criticism and allegations of marginalisation.
Isoko leaders and activists described the exclusion of their oil-producing communities as “grossly discriminatory” and “unconstitutional.”
The suit was filed by Barristers Anthony Asuotu Ejumejowo and Oke Michael Aziakpono at the Delta State High Court sitting in Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Local Government Area.
They are challenging the legality of the state government’s action and seeking redress on behalf of the Isoko people.
The Respondents listed in the suit marked Suit No: HCO/M/16/2025 are the Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; the Commissioner for Finance; the Delta State House of Assembly, and the Speaker of the House, as the 1st to 4th Respondents.
A team of lawyers from Ejumejowo & Associates, Abuja, represents the plaintiffs.
According to documents obtained by BIGPENNGR, in their originating summons, the applicants asked the court to determine whether the exclusion of Isoko South and Isoko North from the capital project allocations violates sections of the 1999 Constitution and whether such action is discriminatory and unlawful.
In an affidavit in support of the originating motion deposed to by Ejumejowo on behalf of the 2nd respondent, Aziakpono declared: “That the Delta State government sometime in July 2025 announced the award of various infrastructure contracts across 23 local government areas amounting to a total of two hundred and thirty billion naira only to the exclusion of the Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas and, by extension, to the 2nd Applicant and I.
“That the sum of two hundred and thirty billion naira only for the said projects in the 23 local government areas is to be funded by the public fund of the Delta State government.”
He accused the government of favouring certain local government areas linked to the governor and his predecessor, while neglecting others.
He said, “That since the assumption of office by the current governor, the government of Delta State has discriminated against the people of Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas by placing the development of his local government area and the other local government areas of his ethnic group and that of his predecessor far and above other local government areas as if the people of Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas are second-class citizens and not indigenes of Nigeria and Delta State respectively.”
The applicants argued that the Appropriation Law guiding the expenditure is not publicly accessible and is being treated like “a secret diary of the governor and a few selected politicians.”
They described the allocation as “an affront to equity, fairness, and justice.”
The applicants prayed the court to determine, “That the action of the Delta State government by allocating the sum of two hundred and thirty billion naira only out of the public funds of the Delta State government for capital projects and the action of the 3rd Respondent to vote of capital projects under the Appropriation Law of Delta State, 2025 across 23 local government areas of Delta State to the exclusion of Isoko South local area and Isoko North local area and, by extension, the communities of the 1st and 2nd Applicants is discriminatory, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
“Whether or not the Delta State government can discriminate against the people of Isoko South local government and Isoko North local government in the allocation of the resources of the State.
“Whether the 3rd Respondent can lawfully enact an appropriation bill to discriminate against the people of Isoko South local government and Isoko North local government in the allocation of the resources of the State.
“Whether the Governor of Delta State can lawfully assent to an appropriation bill to become a law to discriminate against the people of Isoko South local government and Isoko North local government in the allocation of the resources of the State.”
The applicants also prayed the court for “A declaration of this honorable court that that the appropriation of the sum two hundred and thirty billion naira only out of the public funds of the Delta State Government for capital projects across 23 local government area of Delta State to the exclusion of Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas and by extension, the communities of the 1st and 2nd Applicants is discriminatory, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
“A declaration of this honorable court that the allocation of capital projects under the 2025 Appropriation Law of Delta State across 23 local government areas of Delta State to the exclusion of Isoko South and Isoko North local government areas and, by extension, the communities of the 1st and 2nd Applicant is discriminatory, unlawful and unconstitutional.”
The applicants are also asking the court to nullify the Delta State Government’s allocation of ₦230 billion for capital projects across 23 local government areas, alleging it unlawfully excludes Isoko South and Isoko North.
They also seek to void the entire 2025 Appropriation Law for being discriminatory and unconstitutional, and want the court to restrain the government from further marginalising their communities in future resource allocations.
In response to public criticism, the Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Charles Aniagwu, defended the government’s actions.
He maintained that the Oborevwori administration remains committed to equitable development across all regions, including the Isoko nation.
“Contrary to the claims, the Isoko Nation has benefited immensely from the MORE Agenda, with over 53 strategic projects either completed, ongoing, or approved across Isoko North and Isoko South,” Aniagwu stated.
He listed projects in road infrastructure, healthcare, and tertiary education as examples of the state government’s commitment.
The Isoko ethnic nationality, which is oil-rich and historically peaceful, has increasingly voiced grievances over perceived neglect by successive governments.
However, the court is yet to fix a date for the hearing.