*Accolades As Reps Fire Questions At Akpabio
*Minister Says House Member Wants To Eat Him Raw
By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, accused a member of the House of Representatives Committee investigating financial mismanagement in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of trying to eat him raw.
Akpabio was grilled by lawmakers on Monday to establish the role he played in the N81.5bn alleged fraudulent spendings by the NDDC between January and May this year and other financial scandals rocking the Commission.
Read also: Why I Slapped Akpabio, Ex-NDDC MD, Nunieh Makes Fresh Allegations
While the members of the committee were taking turns to ask Akpabio questions, Hon. Boma Goodhead put the Minister on the spot by asking him if he didn’t consider it weird that he couldn’t say the exact number of contracts executed by the commission under his watch.
Hon. Goodman, who is the lawmaker representing Akuku -Toru/Asari Toru Federal Constituency in Rivers State, however, kept talking while Akpabio wanted to answer the question.
This prompted the minister to ask the committee to protect him. He said, “Am I protected Hon. Chairman? It’s like this woman here wants to eat me raw.”
Read also: NDDC: ‘Step Aside, Submit Yourself For Investigation’, PDP Tells Akpabio
The last was not, however, seen between the duo as they were later to engaged in altercation again. A lawmaker, making reference to Dr. Cairo Ojuogho, asked Akpabio if he didn’t consider it awkward that a medical doctor is the commission’s executive director, project.
Akpabio said, “60% of the projects of the NDDC are medical. Even before the outbreak of COVID ’19 is on record that malaria has been killing people in Africa”
When a lawmaker cut in during Akpabio explanation and told the minister to give a direct answer because the question was direct. The minister made a comment that almost got the house rowdy.
Read also: Buhari Orders Agencies, NASS To Expedite NDDC’s Probe
He said, “60% of the development projects in the commission were awarded to members of the National Assembly.” The statement apparently got Hon. Goodhead angry.
Goodhead, who was hailed for standing her ground in the 8th assembly when she dared armed security operatives of the DSS for laying siege to the National Assembly, fired flurry of questions at Akpabio.
“Can I ask you the benefit of the national assembly getting 60% as you said? Can you substantiate your claim? You were a member of the committee on NDDC in the eight assembly, did you get contracts too?”
Read also: NDDC Probe: PDP Recommends Akpabio’s Suspension As Police, Wike Set For Showdown
She was eventually calmed down by Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi who presided over the hearing after the Chairman of the committee, Tunji Ojo had recused himself from the committee.
Meanwhile, earlier, after the momentary break caused by the collapse of Professor Daniel Pondei, Deputy Chairman, Thomas Ereyitomi, who presided over the hearing, asked the minister if the three major projects he had carried out had the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Akpabio, who was interrupted while answering the question, said, “Mr Chairman, the condition, where we are in now, does not require bullying, with due respect.” However, Ereyitomi responded, “We are not bullying you, honourable minister. Answer the question directly. You know you are my leader. An uncommon leader.”
Read also: Alleged Massive Corruption In NDDC: Group Wants Appointees Sacked, Calls For Prosecution
Ereyitomi, who later thanked the minister for his time, said the purpose of the committee was not to witch-hunt anyone but rather to provide an avenue for “an interactive session” and also an opportunity to hear the minister’s side of the story.
