By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the ongoing scandal rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a concerned Rivers politician of the Ogoni extraction, Honourable Gabriel Pidomson has expressed distaste over the situation and called for thorough investigation into the scandal.
The current probe of the commission’s books has led to the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and former Acting Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee of the commission, Dr. Joi Nunieh fighting dirty in the media.
Pidomson in a statement by his media aide Ledogo Raymond called for thorough investigation into the matter and advised that the truth be allowed to triumph.
The one time Rivers State House of Assembly member also cautioned that the Ogonis and Rivers People are watching keenly and would not condone any kind of intimidation, victimization, and oppression meted on the titled Ogoni woman.
“The people of Ogoni will not take it lightly if a hair of the only surviving holder of the highest traditional title of honour and Esther of Ogoni , Gbene Dr. Joi Nunieh, falls to the ground. This is to put the country on notice that if such happens, our response will be massive, effective and overwhelming”, he said.
The former secretary to Rivers State Government said the people of Niger Delta had hoped that it was of good intentions that the President and Commander in Chief, Mohammadu Buhari initiated the forensic audit of the commission.
He added that “the rots in the commission are such that the development of the Niger Delta region is at a backward pace. So, if according to the ex-MD, she was ousted because she refused to compromise, then this matter should be given genuine and transparent attention”.
Pidomson also expressed shock that despite the gravity of accusation leveled against the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, the minister has refused to honorably step aside to allow for investigation into the matter.
He further called on the Federal Government to give Nunieh the necessary protection as her life is no longer safe due to the fear of the unknown.
He added: “it takes a lot of courage and bravery to come out with such damning information and this should be an encouragement to other whistleblowers if we sincerely hope to make headway on the fight against corruption”.
