N20 million COVID-19 allegation: Senate tackles NDDC, says they should provide evidence against lawmakers

Nigerian Senators have denied receiving N20 million each from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as COVID-19 palliatives.

In a disclaimer statement issued and made available to journalists on Tuesday by Senate’s spokesperson, Senator Ajibola Bashiru in Abuja, he challenged the NDDC’s director of project, Dr. Cairo Ojuogboh to show evidence that such funds were given to Senators as COVID-19 palliatives.

The statement said: “The Senate views with grave concern a statement credited to Dr Cairo Ojougboh, the Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC who alleged that National Assembly members received varying sums of money as COVID – 19 palliative.

“The Senate hereby disclaims the allegation in its entirety.

“The Senate categorically denies that no Senator collected the sum of N20 million or any sum whatsoever from NDDC as COVID-19 relief fund of for any purpose whatsoever.

“The Senate challenges Dr Ojougboh to publicly provide evidence of his claim and list the names of the Senators he allegedly gave the alleged sum.

“Failure to provide evidence of his claim, the Senate hereby demands immediate retraction and public apology from Dr Cairo Ojougboh.”

Dr. Ojougboh has earlier alledged that lawmakers were given various sums of money as COVID-19 relief from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

He also explained in the media that Nigeria would break, if names of looters of NDDC is revealed.