News
NDDC N40 billion scam: Senate fingers Akpabio as feud goes full blown

The Senate Wednesday lampooned at the Interim Management Committee ( IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) over moves being made by the agency to stop the National Assembly from probing alleged N40billion misappropriated within the last three months.

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been deep necked in the controversial spending of the humongous fund in few months.

The Upper legislative chamber in its reaction to witch hunting allegations levelled against the Senate and the House of Representatives on account of separate investigations being carried out on the N40billion scam by IMC , declared that no amount of blackmail will stop the already started investigations .
Senate said the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio is fuelling the crisis between the National Assembly and the NDDC.
Addressing journalists on the festering crisis , the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi ( PDP Delta North), said all allegations levelled against the National Assembly by the Acting Managing Director of the Commission , Kemebradikumo Pondei and the ones personally directed at him by the Executive Director, Project , Dr Cairo Ojougboh, were nothing but mere fabrications.
While the Acting Managing Director of NDDC in Port Harcourt Tuesday alleged amongst others that the National Assembly inserted over 500 projects into the 2019 budget of the agency and arm twisting the IMC from carrying out forensic audit as directed by President Buhari, Ojougboh alleged among others that Some Senators got over 1000 contracts from the NDDC.
Pondei further claimed that the “overbearing stranglehold” of the National Assembly panels was responsible for the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget in March 2020.
He said the reason the NDDC applied to the National Assembly for the virement of its 2019 budget was “because the commission only got the letter of approval of the budget on March 20, 2020, after the NDDC was coerced by some lawmakers to pay 20 contractors.”
But in his reaction to all the allegations at a media briefing in his office , Senator Nwaoboshi said the ongoing probe exercise on finances of the Commission by both Chambers of the National Assembly , triggered the open media attacks against the National Assembly by the IMC .
He said : ” We are responding to the allegations of the IMC to correct the misrepresentation. If they claim that some 1000 jobs were given to any Senator, we challenge the IMC members to compile the list of this contracts and publish them.
“Also, the EFCC, Police or ICPC should be reached to investigate those claims instead of blackmailing anybody”
Vowing that both the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees would forge ahead with their separate investigations, Nwaoboshi said : ” What we are seeing is a case of a man sent to catch the thief but instead of catching the thief, he starts stealing too.
“If members of the IMC know that their hands are clean , they don’t need to panick or resort to blackmail which would not in anyway deter the already mandated investigative committees of the National Assembly from carrying out their legitimate assignments .
” Their lies have short legs and unfortunately cannot run fast or fly . IMC must be ready to submit itself for thorough investigation by committees already assigned for that by both Chambers of the National Assembly .
“The allegations of balkanisation of budget just came because the IMC members were asked to appear before the Adhoc-committee to answer questions.
“The National Assembly has the right to appropriate and carry out oversight functions on the Niger Delta Ministry, and the NDDC. So, no amount of intimidation or blackmail will stop us”, he said .
The committee also explained that the National Assembly refused to treat the request to amend the 2019 budget of the NDDC because there was a breach of the procedure for requesting budget amendment or virulent.
“If the President sends it, we will consider it. As it stands, there is nothing before the National Assembly” the committee insisted.
Senator Nwaoboshi disclosed at the press briefing that despite being a former colleague, he had deleted the number of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio from his phone for allegedly fuelling the crisis between NDDC and the National Assembly.
According to him , Akpabio as a member of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs oversighting the NDDC , in 2017 alone , requested for N500million worth of projects to be captured in the agencies capital votes for the fiscal year and now surreptitiously instigating IMC members of the agency against the National Assembly .

News
Plateau gov’t expresses concern over violence in Shendam LGA, calls for calm

The Plateau state government has expressed concern over violence in Shimankar (Menkaat), Shendam Local Government Area, of the State which unfortunately caused unnecessary tension within the community.

In a statement by the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon Joyce Lohya Ramnap, made available to journalists in Jos, it condemned in strongest terms and warned such violence would not be tolerated any longer.

The statement called for dialogue to differences and disagreement before it snowballed into violence, adding that government will not allow anyone to undermine peace and unity of the State.
Part of the statement read: “I want to reiterate the Plateau State Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding peace and security for all citizens, especially during such tense moments.”
Acknowledging the swift response of law enforcement agencies and the traditional institutions in containing the situation, we are calling for even greater collaboration between community leaders, security agencies, and the public to prevent further escalation,thus the need to maintain peace, calm and restraint from all parties.
“We urge the people of the community to pursue peaceful resolutions to any disagreements instead of resorting to violence.”
In line with the administration’s “Time is Now” vision under the leadership of Governor Mutfwang, I want to emphasise that the state is focused on ensuring lasting peace and harmony, irrespective of religious or tribal differences.
Government is also assuring the public that security agencies have been instructed to conduct a thorough investigation into the root causes of the skirmishes and to ensure that those responsible for any breach of public peace are held accountable.
Towards this end, Plateau citizens are to remain vigilant yet peaceful and to actively support all efforts to de-escalate the situation as the State Government is committed to fostering a peaceful coexistence for all citizens, the statement further reads.

News
Governor Alia distances self from protest against Benue CJ

As protest rocks Benue State against the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpembese for relocating the Benue Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal from Makurdi to Abuja, Governor Hyacinth Alia has distanced himself from the protest.

Protesters in their hundreds from Benue State took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, for a peaceful protest from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court to express their outrage over the Benue CJ’s decision.

Prior to Monday’s massive protest Justice Ikpembese raised security concerns and moved the Tribunal to Abuja, a development that triggered protest as they are saying the Tribunal would have remained in Makurdi for them to monitor proceedings.
The tribunal is currently handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.
Reports indicate that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.
The Benue State Government, through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr. Fidelis Mnyim, had questioned the CJ’s unilateral decision, noting that neither the governor nor his office had been formally notified.

News
Shehu Sani debunks Governor Uba Sani’s alleged diversion of LG funds, challenges El-Rufai to publicly tender evidence

Civil Rights Activist and former Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani has debunked the former Governor, Malamn Nasir El-Rufai’s allegation that Governor Uba Sani has diverted the Local Government Councils allocation to buy properties abroad.

Shehu Sani said El-Rufai’s allegation is “falsely crafted to smear the name of of the Governor because of the N420 billion investigation hanging on him like the sword of damocles.”

Reacting to the allegation on Monday, Shehu Sani challenged the former Governor to release proofs of purchases of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London by Uba Sani publicly.
He said, Kaduna people would not forget in a hurry how Nasir El-Rufai plundered the State in eight years as Governor of the State, stressing that he should stop pushing falsehood into the public space.
He said: “As Kaduna indigenes, we are all living witnesses to how El-Rufai plundered the State and now investigation has indicted him and he should face it rather than pushing falsehood into the public domain.
El-Rufai should be bold enough to show proofs linking governor Uba Sani in the purchase of properties in South Africa, Seychelles and London, then we will take him serious.
“But he should be ready answer for the whereabouts of N420 billion because that money is substantial enough to develop Kaduna State to an extent”, Shehu Sani maintained.

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