by Press Release
February 1, 2025
Demand for Transparency: NDAF Challenges NDDC Over Alleged Mismanagement of Cross River Palliatives
Compatriots in the struggle, Niger Deltans, and gentlemen of the press,
Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) is compelled to react to the press statement emanating from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) published on January 30, 2025.
As you know, necessity is the springboard of reaction. On that note, NDAF finds it necessary to exercise our rights once again in light of recent developments regarding the surreptitious and selective distribution of palliatives (money and food items) meant for groups in Cross River State. These palliatives were distributed through the NDDC, supposedly in collaboration with Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke, the Cross River representative on the NDDC Governing Board, and Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, the senator representing Cross River South and Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC.
The current discrepancies surrounding the palliatives came to public attention as a result of the political hiccups between the governor of Cross River State and the senator’s camp. In response, Hon. Duke granted interviews and issued press statements accusing Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong of hijacking the N100 million earmarked by NDDC as palliatives for Cross River State.
On January 29, 2025, in our penultimate press release, we called on Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong to break his silence and provide accountability. We also gave him a 72-hour ultimatum, which elapsed at 12 PM on January 31, 2025. While awaiting his response, the NDDC hurriedly released a statement on January 30, 2025, through its Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, tactically absolving Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong of the allegations.
The NDAF read the press release with skepticism. The NDDC claimed that it distributed only palliatives, not money, and that the list of beneficiaries was duly approved by the NDDC Board. In light of this, we seek clarification on the following:
1. Was the governor of Cross River State aware of the list of beneficiaries, or was he consulted before it was generated as one of the advisors of the NDDC board as established by law?
2. Since the NDDC stated that the list was duly approved by its Board, did Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke, the Board member representing Cross River State, participate in the approval process?
3. Who submitted the list of beneficiaries for Cross River State—Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong or Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke?
While we await answers, we demand that the NDDC, which by law is not a secret organization, publish a *comprehensive* list of beneficiaries from Cross River State on its website. Additionally, the Commission must provide the public with detailed information on the sharing formula for the so-called palliatives.
The NDDC has three (3) working days to respond. If it fails to do so, we will be left with no choice but to hold an international press conference calling for a forensic audit and investigation into the institutional corruption within the NDDC, which is being perpetuated by certain individuals.
Yours in the struggle!
Signed:
Comr. Paul Ajie
Chairman, Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF)
Comr. Ogar Emmanuel Oko
Secretary, Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF)
