Following the recent media war against the ongoing forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s (NDDC) operations, the Leaders and Stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Akwa Ibom State have renewed their confidence in the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswil Akpabio to sanitize and reposition the commission to deliver on her mandate to the Niger Delta Region.
The group also reacted to the recent release by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) asking Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio to step aside because of the National Assembly investigations.
In a Communiqué issued by the Leaders and Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, July 14 2020 after a Meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State reads:
“We are leaders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) from the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State. We have read with concern the various media publications, seen the numerous online videos and TV interviews on the ongoing forensic audit at the NDDC. We are also following the ongoing probe of the NDDC by the National Assembly.
“In particular, we have also read the press release issued by the PDP last night asking Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, to step aside because of the National Assembly investigations.
The stakeholders however posited as follows:
“Once again, we wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for appointing one of our leaders and leading light from the South South, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON, as the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
“We also commend the President for important positions of responsibility he has given to some leading and highly dependable Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in his government. Such persons are: Senator Ita Solomon Enang (SSA to the President on Niger Delta Affairs); Mr. Umana Okon Umana (MD, Oil & Gas Free Zones Authority) and Chief Ita Awak (Director, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority).
“We are also grateful to the President for the appointment of Senator (Dr.) John James AkpanUdoedehe as the Secretary of Caretaker Committee of our great Party, APC.
“There are also a few other appointments of our members into statutory Boards and Commissions and Boards of other agencies that were made by the President. We are grateful, Mr. President.
“We wish to also congratulate the President on his sterling performance in office in the last five years, especially in the areas of infrastructural upgrade, improved food production and agricultural value chain, fight against corruption and war against insecurity.
“We wish to express our profound and deep confidence in Senator Godswill Akpabio, as a Minister from Akwa Ibom. We know that based on his track records as our governor for eight years (2007 – 2015), Senator Akpabio is competent, capable and adequately experienced to deliver on the mandate of President Buhari.
“We condemn in its entirety the malicious, noxious and reprehensible statement issued by the PDP yesterday calling on Senator Akpabio to be suspended from office due to the probe of the National Assembly. We wish to state categorically that the rut, corruption and waste(s) of resources in the NDDC were recorded mostly during the 16 years of the PDP governments in the country.
“The PDP governments (1999 – 2015) in the country also frittered away our resources in various corrupt schemes, instead of investing in critical infrastructure and amenities in the country. The nation was therefore plunged into deep economic depression and social dislocations before President Buhari took over on 29 May 2015.
“The huge financial resources and assets recovered from corrupt officials of the past PDP governments in the country attest to the depth of savagery and plunder the nation suffered in 16 years.
“Senator Akpabio has only been the Supervising Minister of NDDC for less than one year. Within this time, he has worked with the Management of the Commission to complete its new head office building which had been under construction for 20 years, and is working on the forensic audit of the Commission which the President ordered. He cannot therefore be held responsible for the rut of the last 20 years which the forensic audit is intended to unravel.
“We are convinced that all the controversies surrounding the forensic audit of the NDDC are coming from persons who had perpetrated or participated in this lucre during the dark days of the PDP. Their goal is to compel the President to disband the interim management of the NDDC and discontinue with the audit. This much was made known by the immediate past Acting MD of the Commission, Ms Joi Nunieh, in her TV interview on Monday, 13 July 2020.
“We respectfully call on President Buhari to continue to be resolute in his determination to conduct the forensic audit in the NDDC and reposition the Commission for the benefit of the people of our region. We assure the President of Senator Akpabio’s determination and capacity to execute the President’s agenda in the Niger Delta region effectively and efficiently. On our part as APC leaders and stakeholders, we assure the President of our unalloyed loyalty to his administration and support for our Minister.
“We once again thank the President for his love for our dear state and the Niger Delta region.
Signed:
- Dr. Emaeyak Ukpong (Former ASUU Chairman, former Local Govt Chairman and former Member, House of Representatives)
- Obongawan Geraldine Etuk, Treasurer, National Council of Women Societies
- Hon. Enobong Umoetuk, Former Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Government
- Hon. Victor Antai, Former Local Govt Chairman & Former Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Govt
- Mr. Etim Etim, Retired Banker & APC Chieftain
