*Tunji-Ojo Says Investigation Is About The Future Of NDDC
*Coalitions Ask Akpabio To Step Down For Unhindered Probe
Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has stated that the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari must go on unhindered.
He made this known while recusing himself from the ongoing investigation of the commission despite a vote of confidence passed on him. He stated that the decision to step down was taken in the interest of the country to ensure that the forensic audit ordered by the President will go on unhindered. He further stated that he is open to an investigation into allegations leveled against him.
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“This investigation is nothing personal, it is about issues, issues, and issues only. This investigation is about the future of the NDDC, because the executive and legislative arms of government are partners in progress.
I want to say very clearly that any issues against my person should be sent to the relevant anti-corruption agencies, while this is ongoing, if needed I will make myself available for investigation. I am not on a revenge mission.
I wish to clearly appeal to my colleagues that though you passed a vote of confidence on me, the leadership of this assembly passed a vote of confidence on me as the chairman of this committee, to assure Nigerians that I am not on a revenge mission, I wish to humbly appeal to the committee to recuse me from presiding over this particular meeting. I hope this will allow everyone to present their facts in the interest of the Niger-Delta.
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Honorable colleagues, I appeal to you, I know it must be painful, but the right thing must be done for the interest of Nigeria and the Niger-Delta region.
I want to thank you all for listening and your understanding and level of cooperation. I want to assure all Nigerians that this move is for the betterment of Nigerians” he stated.
Hon. Thomas Ereyi-Tobi, the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, took over presiding over the hearing after Tunji-Ojo’s exit.
Also, stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other concerned groups in the country are unanimous in their resolve that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio should either step down or be suspended by the President to allow for an unhindered and uninterrupted probe of the Commission by the National Assembly, as well as, the forensic audit ordered by President Buhari.
Read also: S/South Govs Support Forensic Audit Of NDDC, NASS Probe
The New Diplomat reports that it has been a week full of drama, turns and twists as flurries of accusations and counter-accusations dominate public space over the ongoing National Assembly’s probe of the NDDC.
The Assembly is probing N40bn scam at the Commission and also another N81.5bn, the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC claimed it spent in less than six months between January and May this year, while the Covid-19 lockdown lasted in the country.
