A leading militant group in the Niger Delta, Niger Delta Redemption Frontiers (NDRF) has reacted to claims that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio bribed the Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo.
It would be recalled that the minister had gone to see Tompolo over a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government for the urgent inauguration of a substantive NDDC board.
Reports gathered noted that Akpabio had bribed the militant leader with $1million to halt his agitation, as Tompolo had threatened that there was going to be consequences if a board is not commissioned at the expiration of the ultimatum.
In an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, one of the leaders of NDRF, Abalagha Enai also known as Messiah, dismissed the claims while noting that there was never a time before, during or after the said meeting with the minister where any amount of money was given to Tompolo, Journalist 101 reports.
According to him, “President Muhammadu Buhari called for a meeting of Niger Delta Stakeholders and pleaded that we should remain calm that a substantive board will be inaugurated immediately after the forensic audit is completed, submitted and accepted. We agreed with him. Not for anything, but for the respect we have for the exalted office of Mr President. How then will someone come to say that Tompolo was bribed to back down on his earlier 7-day ultimatum for the board to be inaugurated?
“We’ve heard of so many reports against the Honourable Minister but all that we have to tell the carriers of evil news is that Senator Akpabio is doing well as a minister. To say that funds in the NDDC are turned to personal use is a disservice to the revered minister. First, they should know that NDDC’s budget is still pending at the Senate and that the meagre funds expended by the commission is directly from the Presidency and available records show that it has been judiciously used. Or haven’t we seen that for the first time in the history of NDDC that abandoned projects are being completed and commissioned? Look at what will happen any moment from now as a result of the just concluded forensic audit.
“Also, Mr Efiong Akwa’s tenure as the head of administration in NDDC is so rewarding. Let it also be on records that Akpabio is not trying to change the signature of Mr Akwa in the Single Treasury Account, TSA. And it is not also true that Efiong is a puppet of Akpabio in the NDDC. Every payment done is documented and can be accounted for. They should also know that Efiong is a Certified Accountant with many years of experience. Besides, the duo of Akpabio and Effiong won’t dare try anything to tarnish their image after going through the rough path of forensic auditing. Efiong has been consistent and pragmatic in his line of duties; always in the office to attend to issues demanding his attention and sometimes stays in the office into the wee hours of the night. He has never deprived anybody of his presence and we can boast of his erudite leadership qualities in the commission.
“On the issue of changing the signatory at the TSA, they acted out of ignorance. But it should be made known to them that it is only the Director of Finance and Directorate of PMS in NDDC that are signatories to the TSA. Mr Akwa does not have the power to effect such change. And Minister does not partake in the management of NDDC; he’s only a supervising minister.
“They also said that Akpabio threatened Akwa with a ‘sack’ when he refused to sign for payment. How did come about the information when they also said that it took place in a private meeting between the minister and the NDDC IA? Those are all fabrications from the minds of unclean fellows. They should have mentioned the payment Mr Akwa refused to sign which prompted Akpabio to say ‘pay or I sack you.’
“So, we want to use this as the greatest medium to warn perpetrators of evil things to desist from it or we will be forced to react in a more surprising manner next time. No man or group has a monopoly of violence. The people trying to create unnecessary tension in Niger Delta should desist from it. We also want to advise their sponsors to learn the ways of peace, which is the only way to achieve our long-desired development,” Messiah said.
Meanwhile, students under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Students Union Government have scheduled a protest against the NDDC for Tuesday, October 12, in agitation for the students’ bursary payment and proper funding of the education sector in the Niger Delta region.
According to the body, the NDDC has failed to honour several promises and agreements signed with the student’s body.
“The Niger Delta Students have fixed their protest for Tuesday. The venue is the NDDC New Headquarters, Eastern Bypass Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Time is 12noon,” it said.
