NDDC FRAUD: PDP wants Akpabio to step aside for probe

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has decried the allegation of corruption being levelled against the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

According to the party, the “monstrous sleaze being unearthed in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is just a tip of the iceberg of the stinking corruption and criminal racketeering that have pervaded the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari.”

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, on Monday, the party said the 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, Akpabio, have further exposed how ministries, agencies and departments (MDAs) are run under the Buhari-led APC administration.

“The PDP observes 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.

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“Nigerians are still in a state of shock over reports of how the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, 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,” the statement read in part.

The PDP, therefore, charged the Buhari Presidency to speak out on the issue, particularly, given the delicate nature of the Niger Delta, and take steps to investigate and prosecute all those involved in the alleged fraud.

It demanded that Senator Akpabio should step aside and submit himself for investigation over these weighty allegations.

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