Fresh plot by Senate President Ahmad Lawan to rope in Senator Godswill Akpabio in the alleged ‘missing’ N1.4 trillion to stall him from becoming the Senate President in the 10th National Assembly has been diffused by NDDC, Straightnews online has learnt.
This was as Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) issued a statement to derobe Akpabio of the ‘missing’ NDDC’s N1.4 trillion misappropriation tag the Upper House wanted to hang on him as Niger Delta Affairs Minister.
Akpabio, the Senator-elect representing Akwa Ibom North West, served as the Minister from August 21, 2019 to May 2022.
Akpabio and Lawan collected forms and contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in May 2022.
Though Akpabio stepped down for Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Lawan initially pronounced by the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu as the party’s sole presidential candidate contested and failed during the primary.
It was rumoured that Lawan had a pact with Akpabio to become his Vice Presidential candidate if he (Lawan) wins the primary election.
Peeved by alleged ‘betrayal’, Lawan is said to be unhappy with Akpabio by rebuffing Akpabio’s reconciliatory moves.
NDDC Reacts
As Nigerians are riled on alleged misappropriation of NDDC’s N1.4 trillion by past managements of the commission, especially the illegal interim administrations, following a senate committee report, NDDC has urged the public not to jump into conclusions on such matters.
The commission said in a statement on Thursday that the senate committee report never accused the commission’s past managers of stealing the sum, but that the monies were spent without proper legislative approvals by the National Assembly.
The statement which was signed by the commission’s head of corporate affairs, Dr Ibitoye Abosede also said the commission under Dr Samuel Ogbuku had nothing to hide and was willing to cooperate with the senate to get things done properly and achieve set goals.
The statement said: “The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, appreciates the concerns expressed by the Senate during its plenary on Tuesday, May 10, 2023.
“The Senate had at its session constituted an ad hoc committee to probe the financial activities of the NDDC for 2021 and 2022 budget estimates. The Senate also stood down consideration of the 2023 budget of the NDDC for further information and clarification on the figures contained in the budget.
“The NDDC respects the oversight function of the Senate and is ready to cooperate with the investigation committee. The Commission has nothing to hide and is committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.
“It is important that we clarify that the Senate has not accused the Board and Management of the NDDC of corruption or misappropriation of N1.4trn. The Senate only thinks that the funds were expended without approval or appropriation by the National Assembly. This misunderstanding can be quickly resolved by providing the necessary documents and explanations.
“The NDDC also wishes to explain that the delays in submitting its budgets and audited accounts to the National Assembly were due to factors beyond its control, such as bureaucratic bottlenecks and frequent leadership changes. The Commission has, however, taken steps to address these issues to ensure timely compliance with all statutory requirements.
“We appeal to the general public to refrain from making hasty judgments based on the Senate’s decision. The NDDC assures all stakeholders of its dedication to the development of the Niger Delta region and the welfare of its people.”
Lawan’s fresh plot
To truncate Akpabio’s Senate Presidency bid, Lawan, Wednesday, ordered a probe into how a whopping N1.4 trillion was allegedly spent without appropriation
The probe is being seen as an assault on Akpabio’s bid to clinch the position of the Senate President.
Akpabio was not Lawan’s preferred choice for the position with sources saying the Senate President prefers either the Northwest or Southeast for the number three position in the land.
Although Akpabio was Minister of Niger Delta, the NDDC has its board with independent operational guidelines.
During his stint as Minister, there was frequent friction between him and the commission with several reports of Illegal approval and expenses executed by orders from the Minister.
Akpabio also faced serious inquest from the parliament when the budget of the commission was under consideration.
While the upper legislative chamber went silent over certain grey areas regarding the Commission’s expenditure almost a year after Akpabio resigned as Minister, the red chamber commenced immediate investigation into what it called questionable expenditures.
The upper house is accusing NDDC of lack of transparency and accountability amounting to N1.4 trillion, tasking its committee on Wednesday to investigate and report back within one week.
The probe followed a motion by Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi) during consideration of a report by the Committee on Niger Delta on NDDC’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 budgets.
The committee, chaired by Senator Bulus Amos (APC, Gombe), had submitted its report on Tuesday and urged the Senate to approve the budget estimates of 2021 and 2022 financial years, amounting to N1.4 trillion.
This was after the President Muhammadu Buhari had requested the Senate to approve the Commission’s budgets for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The president explained that a total budget of N485.7 billion was proposed for the NDDC in 2021, N928.2 billion for 2022, and N876 billion for 2023.
Consequently, Lawan empaneled a committee composed of Senator Yusuf A. Yusuf (APC, Taraba), Seriake Dickson, Uche Ekwunife, Abdullahi Yahaya, Saidu Alkali, Adetunmbi Olubumi and Sadiq Sulaiman to investigate and submit its report to the plenary within a week.
However, Akpabio resigned as Niger Delta Affairs Minister hours after President Muhammadu Buhari told all his appointees seeking elective posts in the 2023 general elections to resign before May 16, 2022, according to Akpabio’s spokesman, Jackson Udom.
Eventually, Obong Umana Okon Umana from Akwa Ibom State was appointed as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Ministry on June 21, 2022 and paddles the Ministry’s boat till date.
