Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, may have recanted from his earlier position that members of the National Assembly of benefiting from contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
While appearing before a house of representatives committee probing an alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion by the commission, the minister said national assembly members were the biggest beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the commission.
Thereafter, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, charged him to name the lawmakers or face the “wrath of the house”.
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/09/16/guber-poll-steer-clear-of-edo-state-ikimi-warns-tinubu/
The former Senate Minority leader went on to name the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Peter Nwaoboshi, Senate Committee Chairman on Public Accounts, Matthew Urhoghide, and the senator representing Delta south, James Manager, as some of the beneficiaries.
They have all denied any wrongdoing.
But Akpabio, speaking with journalists after meeting with the acting Clerk of the National Assembly, on Tuesday, Olatunde Ojo, he said Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila only wanted to know whether there was “undue influence” from the federal lawmakers.
“No, you are wrong. That was not what the speaker demanded,” the minister said while fielding questions from journalists.
“The speaker wanted to know whether there was undue influence from any section of the national assembly in respect of contracts in the NDDC. He did not say whether they were contractors, so I am hearing this from you.”
Akpabio said he would be back to the assembly as soon as the lawmakers return from their recess.
“This is like homecoming and the National Assembly ought to have resumed today (Tuesday).
READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/09/16/fg-lagos-govt-stop-barge-operations-along-marina-coastline/
“They postponed it, so I intended that as soon as the resumption takes place, I am here.
“It is part of my effort to support the president’s decision that there must be a much more cordial relationship between the Executive and Legislature.
“In fact, the president recently set up a tripartite committee made up of the party (APC), the national assembly and the executive to ensure oneness because we are running one government.”
The former Minority leader said the current government wants to leave a legacy for Nigerians, adding that “we cannot do this if all the arms of government are not cooperating”.
