Wike Urges Tinubu to Release NDDC Forensic Audit Report, Accuses Amaechi’s Wife of Benefitting from Contracts

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release the long-awaited forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Wike made the appeal during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, where he raised concerns over the secrecy surrounding the findings of the audit.

The forensic audit, initiated in 2021 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, was meant to scrutinize the financial transactions and project implementations of the NDDC from its establishment in 2001 until August 2019. The audit aimed to expose cases of mismanagement, corruption, and misappropriation of funds within the commission—issues that have long plagued the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Wike argued that the report has been deliberately withheld to shield individuals who might be implicated in various financial malpractices. “Let President Bola Ahmed Tinubu do us a favour and release the report of the forensic audit of the NDDC. Mr. President should help Nigerians,” he stated.

Accusations Against Amaechi’s Wife Spark Fresh Controversy

In a sharp critique of former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, Wike alleged that Amaechi’s wife was among those who benefited from NDDC contracts during her husband’s time in office. Though he did not provide documentary evidence to support his claim, Wike insisted that Amaechi’s wife enjoyed a monthly contract for training women in the Niger Delta.

The accusation came in response to Amaechi’s recent remarks in which he described his wife as “almost an industrialist.” Wike dismissed the claim, questioning the authenticity of her so-called industrial success and linking her financial gains to government patronage through the NDDC.

Wike further positioned himself as someone from a stable financial background, stating he had no reason to engage in corrupt practices. In an apparent jab at Amaechi, he said, “His anger is that he saw me using a Rolls-Royce—so what? It was not given to me by a contractor; a contractor gave him, and that is a bribe. He is one of the most corrupt people.”

Wike Vows to Resign If Audit Report Contradicts His Claims

The FCT Minister did not stop at verbal allegations. He threw down the gauntlet by offering to resign from his ministerial position if the forensic audit report fails to support his accusations. “Let them release the document. If what I am saying is not in the document, I will resign as the Minister of FCT. I don’t worship the office,” Wike boldly declared.

This challenge adds a new layer of intensity to the longstanding political rivalry between Wike and Amaechi, both of whom have held sway over Rivers State politics for over a decade. Wike maintained that his wealth and status were not products of public office corruption, drawing a sharp contrast with Amaechi, whom he accused of trading government contracts for personal gain.

Additionally, Wike questioned Amaechi’s academic credentials, claiming that the former Minister of Transport failed to graduate from Rivers State University, further escalating the personal dimension of their political feud.

The NDDC Audit: A History of Unsettled Controversies

The NDDC forensic audit is not the first time allegations of corruption have rocked the commission. In July 2020, a high-profile probe by the House of Representatives into the financial activities of the NDDC revealed widespread irregularities. The then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, publicly declared that members of the National Assembly were “the greatest beneficiaries” of NDDC contracts.

Akpabio’s claims sparked outrage, but he maintained that records existed to prove that lawmakers had secured multiple contracts from the commission. The probe descended into drama when the then Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Daniel Pondei, fainted during a heated grilling session before the House Committee.

The session also saw explosive allegations from Joi Nunieh, a former NDDC managing director, who accused Akpabio of multiple infractions. Nunieh testified via Zoom, revealing a deep-seated rot within the commission. These revelations underscored the entrenched corruption that has undermined development efforts in the Niger Delta for years.

Public Calls for Accountability and Transparency Grow Louder

The call by Wike for the release of the forensic audit report has reignited public discourse around transparency and accountability within the NDDC. Civil society organizations, community leaders, and concerned citizens in the Niger Delta have long expressed frustration over the commission’s inability to deliver on its mandate despite receiving billions of naira over the years.

For many in the region, the NDDC has become synonymous with abandoned projects, inflated contracts, and political patronage rather than genuine development. The release of the forensic audit report is seen as a crucial step toward restoring public confidence and ensuring that those who looted public funds are held accountable.

As President Tinubu continues to position his administration as one committed to fighting corruption, all eyes are now on the Federal Government to act decisively by publishing the audit findings and initiating appropriate legal action where necessary.