Senate President challenges Amaechi over NDDC contract claims

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to provide documentary evidence to support his allegation that a 50 per cent deduction was introduced on payments to Niger Delta Development Commission contractors.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, Mr Akpabio described the claim as weighty and noted that no contract documents, payment records or identifiable transactions had been provided to substantiate it.

Mr Amaechi made the allegation on Saturday while addressing supporters at an African Democratic Congress campaign rally at the Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi State, where he also criticised President Bola Tinubu over the country’s economic hardship.

Mr Akpabio challenged the former Minister of Transportation to identify the affected contractors, the specific contracts, the dates of the alleged deductions and the payment arrangements. He also demanded evidence linking him personally to the practice.

“An allegation delivered before an enthusiastic political audience does not, by that circumstance alone, acquire the status of an established fact,” Mr Akpabio said, urging Mr Amaechi to submit any credible material to competent investigative authorities rather than engage in political confrontation.

The Senate President also turned attention to Mr Amaechi’s eight-year administration in Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, citing the controversial Port Harcourt monorail project and the Malaria-free Rivers State initiative as matters open to public scrutiny regarding expenditure and value for money.

“Public accountability does not begin and end with one’s political opponents. It extends to every public official entrusted with resources, authority and responsibility,” he stated.

Mr Akpabio added that the approaching 2027 general elections should not excuse unsubstantiated claims, stressing that NDDC finances required transparent procurement and measurable developmental outcomes for the oil-producing region.