Aniefiok Christopher
Former Nigeria’s Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, appears disappointed about the alleged excesses of All Progressives Congress (APC) government appointees, taking a swipe at the ruling party with a sarcastic comment ‘‘APC Government, chop make I chop!’’
Dalung’s remark appears to mock what he portrays as a culture of financial sleaze and self-interest by the ruling party’s officials, amidst growing criticisms of the officials’ tainted records of increasing fraud.
Writing in his social media timeline, he said ‘‘Many of you may not know what is hiding inside the Auditor-General’s report on the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).‘‘
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We are talking of over ₦1.3 billion in transactions that have been questioned by auditors, and the details are serious enough that they should not be buried under the usual bureaucratic language.
‘‘We are talking about ₦209.09 million reportedly spent on flights, accommodation and logistics for three diaspora events for which auditors said there was no adequate evidence that the services were actually delivered.’’
This was as a civil society group, Global Integrity Watch (GIW) called for access to the financial and audit records of NiDCOM for 2023, 2024 and 2025 to clarify how issues raised in the Auditor-General’s report under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, with audit observations involving transactions with a combined value of about ₦1.409 billion.
According to the former Minister, ‘‘Another ₦356.38 million went into contracts involving seven companies whose prequalification documents had expired. ₦165.29 million was paid to five contractors whose Tax Clearance Certificates and BPP certificates were reportedly invalid. Four companies awarded contracts worth ₦91.90 million were also said to have recorded zero turnover, despite a ₦20 million minimum requirement.
‘‘Then there is ₦340.83 million spent through emergency procurement for the Global African Diaspora Symposium, even though the auditors questioned the justification for treating the procurement as an emergency and noted the absence of the required BPP approval.
‘‘There are further questions over ₦137.52 million allegedly split into two logistics contracts, ₦48.91 million paid to officers who were not the named beneficiaries, ₦15.60 million paid to security personnel but charged under welfare and cleaning, and millions more in tax under-deductions and overpayments.
‘‘The auditors also reported five government vehicles that could not be sighted, cash advances of about ₦20.5 million above the permitted threshold, and the failure to submit the Commission’s 2023 audited accounts.
‘‘The questions are specific. The amounts are specific. The transactions are specific.’’
Nigerians in the Diaspora send money home, invest here, support families and contribute enormously to the Nigerian economy. A commission created to serve their interests must therefore be held to an especially high standard of transparency.
Nobody should be above scrutiny because of office, reputation or political connections.
And if everything was properly done, the easiest way to silence the allegations is not through outrage or public relations.
Open the books. Answer the questions. Let the evidence settle the matter.
Solomon Dalung
That is how public accountability is supposed to work,’’ he added.
NiDCOM will not be distracted- Mgt
However, the management of the NIDCOM said it will not allow online reports to distract from its work.
The reaction followed online reports claiming that the Commission was indicted by audit reports from the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation.
NiDCOM, in a statement to the media, explained that the audit report does not amount to wrongdoing on the Commission’s part.
It accused the author of the online report of cheap blackmail.
The Commission said it was ready to respond to the appropriate organisations when asked.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to reports online about an Auditor-General’s report on NIDCOM.
“This is definitely another attempt to blackmail and distract the Commission.
“NIDCOM will not be distracted.
“When NIDCOM is formally informed and asked to report to the relevant agencies, particularly the National Assembly committees and the AGF’s office, it will.
“In the meantime, we will not be dragged into an exchange with organisations and individuals whose stock in trade is to blackmail and extort MDAs.
“NIDCOM remains open and transparent in all its actions and will answer to the appropriate organisations when so asked.”
