Following the allegation, on Monday, by the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, that members of the House of Representatives were the major beneficiaries of many of the contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given the former governor 48 hours to publish the names of lawmakers involved.
This ultimatum, given by the Speaker on Tuesday, may mark the beginning of a long showdown between the lawmakers and Akpabio, if the minister does not recant his words.
The embattled minister had, at the House of Representatives Committee hearing on alleged mismanagement of funds in NDDC, accused the lawmakers of being the greatest beneficiaries of the controversial contracts.
He had, however, exonerated the Chairman of the Committee, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, saying he would prefer to take back his earlier words that he got contracts from the NDDC.
He also said that the former Managing Director of the Commission, Joi Nunieh, was removed, following a letter by the late Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, that she was not qualified for the position, on account of defective certificates.
Details later…
