I have no Presidential ambition- Akpabio

Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio says he is not nursing any Presidential aspirations, as such, the stories of administering oaths for allegiance ahead of 2023, was false. The former Governor of Akwa Ibom stated this while Responding to allegations made against him before the National Assembly subcommittee investigating the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Akpabio further told the National Assembly that there no money missing in the NDDC. He disclosed that before the emergence of President Buhari, the NDDC had over 300 accounts in different banks, stressing there were possible missing funds before the present era. Akpabio said “the account of the NDDC under President Muhammadu Buhari is domiciled with the CBN and before this administration, NDDC had over 311 accounts. With over 300 accounts in different banks, they were possibilities of monies missing. “We operate the TSA, and the CBN has the account details and they have availed it to you. And I want to state emphatically, that no 40 Billion is missing.”

Speaking further, Akpabio said: “Since I came onboard, only three contracts have been awarded. The first contract is the appointment of the forensic analyst. The second is the purchase of about 90 vehicles for the NDDC. The third contract is the Covid-19 contract. That was an emergency, we were relying on the law. Section 42, subsection a and b and thereafter, we made returns to the bureau of Public procurement, under section 43 of the law. Outside that Chairman, and members of the subcommittee, I have not, never approved a single contract for the NDDC since I became a minister.”