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NDDC’s IMC under probe over N40b
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A PROBE of alleged “reckless” spending of N40billion by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Interim Management Committee (IMC) was launched by the National Assembly on Tuesday.
The Senate and the House of Representatives set up separate ad-hoc committees to investigate the allegation.
The IMC is supervising a forensic audit of the NDDC as ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senate ad-hoc committee, chaired by Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), is to probe the sum allegedly spent within three months without due process.
Other members are Senators Jika Dauda Haliru (Bauchi Central), Mohammed Almakura (Nasarawa South), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo North), Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North), Ibrahim Hadeija (Jigawa North-East ) and Degi-Eremienyo Wangaha (Bayelsa East).
The resolution followed a motion titled: “Urgent need to investigate alleged financial recklessness in the NDDC” sponsored by Senator George Sekibo (Rivers East).
Sekibo, in his lead debate, said it was worrying that what is on the ground in the Niger Delta does not justify the huge funds allocated to the NDDC over the years.
“While the President’s action of setting up an IMC and the forensic audit may have been conceived to forestall the financial recklessness of the commission and reposition it for fast-tracking of the development of the region, the IMC has been more bedevilled with the same financial misuse, misapplication, misappropriation or outright fraud in the management of the funds of the commission,” the Senator said.
He accused the IMC of “undue gross misconducts in fraudulent contracts award without due recourse to due process and flagrant disobedience to the provisions of the Sections 19, 25, 41 and 42 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007”.
“Within the last three months, the Commission has spent over N40 billion of the commission’s funds without recourse to established processes of funds disbursement which has opened up further suspicion among stakeholders of the Niger Delta Region,” Sekibo said.
Sekibo urged the Senate to mandate the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs to carry out a holistic investigation of all issues relating to but not limited to misapplication and misappropriation of the N40 billion.
He also wants probed all NDDC procurements and financial transactions in this fiscal year and any other matter not in accordance with the provisions of the NDDC Establishment Act 2000.
Senators Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi South) and Ajibola Basiru (Osun Central) through different constitutional points of order, tried to stop the motion from sailing through, but it was approved when it was put to a voice vote by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
Senators Na’Allah and Basiru opposed the I’mmotion on the grounds of being driven by allegations.
But Lawan said the investigation will establish the veracity or otherwise of the allegations.
Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs Chairman Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, however, objected to assertions that the Committee may have been negligent in its oversight duties.
On why the Senate Committee on NDDC is not handling the probe, Lawan said: “It is not strange to have an Adhoc committee when we have a standing committee.”
The House of Representatives mandated its Committee on NDDC to investigate all issues relating to misapplication and misappropriation of funds by the commission and report back to the House for further legislative action.
To this end, the Green Chamber summoned the Supervising Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the IMC.
The resolutions followed a motion by Peter Akpatason, which was adopted by a majority.
Moving the motion, Akpatason expressed concern about “petitions” on “imprudent spending of scarce financial resources” by the NDDC.
He said he was alarmed by claims that the Commission had spent over N40billion in a space of two months without a corresponding effect on the region; 70 per cent of which was allegedly made on emergency projects and the completion of NDDC headquarters.
The lawmaker alleged the spending was “without due regard to fiscal governance as encapsulated in the Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and other extant Financial Regulations.
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Politics Should Be About Issues, Not Violence – Let’s Protect Our Democracy, Says Tinubu
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I have followed recent reports of violence accompanying political events in different parts of the country.
Every form of violence stands condemned. Violence should never have a place in our political campaigns as we move toward the 2027 general elections.
Our campaigns should be about issues, a contestation of ideas that promote the welfare of our people and the progress of our country.
As the leader of this country, I commit myself to a peaceful, free, and fair election, and I urge political leaders and supporters across party lines to conduct themselves responsibly.
I have said that being in different political parties or pursuing different ambitions does not make us enemies.
As Nigerians, we are members of the same household living in different rooms. Therefore, our politics must elevate human conditions and focus on national progress and development.
I want to reiterate my previous directive to the security agencies: be strict and firm against anyone who seeks to test our resolve and will to preserve public order.
Our administration is committed to an orderly and peaceful election, and all political parties and candidates should be protected and free to campaign anywhere in the country without molestation or fear for their safety.
We shall not tolerate any irresponsible conduct by politicians and their supporters.
Security agencies are therefore authorised to confront thuggery and other anti-social and anti-democratic activities with full force.
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Update : THE COURAGE TO REFORM” BOOK TO BE UNVEILED DECEMBER 1 ,
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The Central Planning Committee for the official unveiling of the book, The Courage to Reform: Architecture of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Beyond 2027 — Statecraft, Vision for National Renewal, has announced Tuesday, December 1, 2026, as the new date for the highly anticipated ceremony.
The unveiling, which was initially scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, was earlier postponed following adjustments to the official schedule of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.
HON. IMAAN SULAIMAN-IBRAHIM
Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development
Chairperson, Central Planning Committee
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2027: Tinubu Dares Obi, Atiku to Showcase Their Achievements in Office, Accuses Them of Abandoning Their Responsibilities
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President Bola Tinubu has criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over their political affiliations, questioning their leadership credentials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu made the remarks on Friday during his visit to Akwa Ibom State, where he inaugurated projects executed by Governor Umo Eno’s administration and addressed supporters at a political gathering.
Although he did not mention either politician by name, he appeared to refer to Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, and Atiku, who joined the African Democratic Congress after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
Referring to Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor, Tinubu accused him of failing to tackle erosion in the state, contrasting it with his own claim of confronting the Atlantic Ocean during his administration as Lagos governor.
“One, who said he is in one party they call NDC, who is running for president. He ran away from erosion. In Anambra State, he could not confront erosion.
“I, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I confronted the Atlantic Ocean. I claim it for you. Umo Eno confronted the erosion in Akwa Ibom and is working for, he is stable,” the President said.
Tinubu also questioned the political loyalty of a former PDP member who moved to another party, in an apparent reference to Atiku’s defection to the ADC.
“If a man that was, once upon a time, was a baby of PDP, became a father of PDP. And because of a little inconvenience, he ran away from that party. And formed a dangerous ADC in another party. Is that a leadership trait? Is that a leadership character? And he wants you to vote for him?” he said.
Obi governed Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, while Atiku served as Nigeria’s Vice-President from 1999 to 2007 under the PDP.
Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election on the PDP platform, finishing second behind Tinubu, while Obi, who contested under the Labour Party, came third.
Obi left the Labour Party for the NDC in May 2026, while Atiku joined the ADC as part of opposition efforts ahead of the 2027 election.
Tinubu’s reference to Anambra’s erosion problem recalls his 2023 presidential campaign promise to tackle the menace in the state.
During a campaign rally in Awka in February 2023, the then APC presidential candidate promised to address gully erosion in Anambra, saying he would handle it in the same way he claimed to have tackled the Atlantic Ocean surge in Lagos.
“I have come here to promise you development. We will industrialise Nigeria and Anambra State. You know me, I am the city boy of Lagos; I caged the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos; the way I handled the Atlantic Ocean in Lagos, I will handle the erosion menace in Anambra State,” he said at the time.
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