A coalition of civil society groups-Conduct and Due Process Group, Niger Delta Advocates For Development, and others have called for the sacking of the Minister for Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio over alleged mismanagement of N40billion at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The Coalition in a statement signed by Friday Okon, Kokaro Jumbo, and Chief Jerry demanded the immediate removal of the NDDC from the control of the Ministry of Niger Delta and the disbandment of the Interim Management Committee, INC.
The Coalition who have written to the Inspector general of Police to grant them permission to conduct a peaceful protest at the Premises of the NDDC and member states, the National Assembly, Ministry of Niger Delta, and Channels Television in Lagos, described the IMC as “illegal”.
Another group, the Niger Delta Ijaw Development, and Response Assembly had called on President Muhammadu Buhari to remove Chief Godswill Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta.
Citing corruption and abuse of office, the group noted that a well-intentioned forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the looting of NDDC’s resources has become a ruse; going by the massive scale of looting that is still taking place in the Commission at the moment under Akpabio’s watch as Minister.
“Besides the massive looting going on at the moment, Chief Godswill Akpabio has introduced despotic and clannish tendencies into the NDDC workplace. Chief Godswill Akpabio who should normally just be playing a supervisory role from the Ministry of Niger Delta has personally taken charge of staffing and staff redeployment in the NDDC.
“Many principal staff of other ethnic nationalities working at the headquarters are seen to be replaced with people from Akwa-Ibom, the home State of Akpabio. The most worrisome aspect is the use of less qualified and inexperienced persons to replace the 7 most qualified and experienced staff especially in critical offices just to have his way”, the group said.
