…seeks Akpabio’s resignation and probe
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described what it termed as monstrous sleaze being unearthed in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as further tip of the stinking corruption and criminal racketeering that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari has soaked itselt with.
The party in a statement on Monday by its Spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, stated as shocking, details of allegation by the former NDDC Managing Director, Joy Nunieh, of massive stealing, manipulation of budget processes, victimization and implication of innocent Nigerians as well as fetish practices by corrupt officials, allegedly spearheaded by the supervising minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio, saying that it has further exposed how ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) are run under the Buhari-led APC administration.
The PDP observed that the silence and inaction by the Buhari Presidency and the APC since the uncovering of the fraud in the NDDC signpost complicity at the highest levels as well as validate public stance that treasury looting and cover up for corrupt persons are normal official statecraft and manifesto of the APC and the Buhari administration.
According to PDP, “Nigerians are still in a state of shock over reports of how the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, allegedly bullied officials to pillage the Commission’s foreign currency account; how the laid down procedures of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) are allegedly circumvented to siphon unapproved budgets as well as how innocent workers and federal legislators, who are averse to corrupt practices, were victimized, implicated and even harassed with fetish practices.
“The allegation by the former NDDC MD that a certain NDDC top notch said he can kill if Senator Akpabio asks him to do so, shows the level of recklessness and the victimization in MDAs under the APC rule.
“More distressing is that the Buhari Presidency and the APC had remained silent even when the embattled minister has not provided any concrete defence to the allegations beyond personal attacks on the whistle blower”.
The party had earlier alerted that the NDDC management has not been able to give cogent explanation to the reported Lassa fever contract fraud through which over N4 billion naira NDDC fund was alleged to have been frittered on hazy procurement deals.
The party also raised alarm over another N5.5 billion COVID-19 scandal which trailed reports that the NDDC had already spent over N1.045 billion purportedly for supply of kits and palliatives to Nigerians in nine states.
The party, which challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to speak out on the scam in NDDC, further demanded that Senator Akpabio should step aside and submit himself for investigations.
