Why I slapped Akpabio-Nunieh
The crisis between the former Acting Managing Director of
the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joi Nunieh, and the Minister of
Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has deepened as Nunieh gives
reasons for slapping Akpabio.
On Monday, Nunieh accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.
She was reacting to allegations by Akpabio that, among
others, she was removed from office because of insubordination and certificate
issues.
He also alleged that morally, Nunieh had no moral right to
accuse anybody of infractions because she was involved with four husbands.
But, speaking on Arise Television, she said that Akpabio
should tell Nigerians “the real meaning of insubordination”.
The programme was anchored by former Presidential Spokesman,
Dr. Reuben Abati.
“Akpabio should tell Nigerians the real meaning of
insubordination. I had to slap him because of sexual harassment. I am the only
Niger Delta woman who can slap him like that.
“He should tell Nigerians why I slapped him during a meeting
he called at a Guest House. That was why he said I was not removed because of
corruption but because of insubordination. He should tell Nigerians what really
happened.
“When I was the acting MD, I stopped having meetings with
Akpabio outside my office and his office because of sexual advances. He knows I
am telling the truth. Why was he talking about my four husbands? Does he want
to be my fifth husband? I don’t have four former husband. He spoke on my
dignity. That is why I am talking now. I didn’t say anything then because I
handled him effectively”.
She also accused the former Akwa Ibom Governor of using his
girlfriend as a front “to take money out of NDDC”.
“Akpabio’s girlfriend is the one supplying diesel to NDDC.
Because of that, they refused to fix our light. He also directed her to go to
the National Assembly to insert a few things into NDDC Budget. She told me that
Akpabio sent her to do that and I shouted at her to leave the place
immediately”.
Nunieh, who revealed that she had instructed her lawyer to
sue Akpabio for defamation of character, said the minister directed his Chief
of Staff and some directors to write her memos requesting for financial
assistance. “Of course, I did not reply them”.
Nunieh said it was not true that she spent N44 billion while
in office. “We only spent N8 billion”.
Displaying some documents, she declared that there was no
forensic audit going on at the commission.
“It is not true. There is nothing like forensic audit going
on. There is only a verification exercise, unlike what Akpabio said. I have no
intention of going back to the NDDC but the interest of Niger Deltans must be
protected.
“Immediately I assumed office, Akpabio told me to give him
$1 million and I said ‘where will I get that from’? He also promised some
people in Abuja that he would give them hundreds of millions of naira just for
him to be in total control of NDDC.
“What people should ask him is: As Niger Delta Affairs
Minister, what has he achieved since he was appointed?
“He also told me to include refugee projects in NDDC
budgets. I refused because we have Federal Government agencies doing that. He
stinks of corruption. He got 30 contracts just for himself”.
She advised President Muhammadu Buhari to stop appointing
people with political interests to NDDC or as Niger Delta Affairs Minister.
“Once they get there, the only interest they have is how to amass wealth to
prosecute their political ambition.
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