Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godswill Akpabio yesterday backtracked on his accusation that National Assembly members were major beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
However, despite his backtracking, the House of Representatives has resolved to sue him for perjury and slander.
The minister while testifying before the probe panel in the NDDC made the allegation.
He had said: “Who are the greatest beneficiaries? It’s you people now … I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts of NDDC are given to members of the National Assembly…The two chairmen can explain to you.”
The video clips showing Akpabio making the claims have since gone viral.
Akpabio in a letter to the House repudiated the allegation. Gbajabiamila notified the lawmakers of the letter, saying he had already instructed clerk of the House, Patrick Giwa, to engage the services of lawyers to initiate the perjury proceedings against the minister for failing to publish the list.
He said: “Last Tuesday, I issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the minister to substantiate his allegation that over 60 per cent of contracts awarded by the NDDC went to members of the National Assembly. I said then that the minister owed it to himself and the country to provide evidence to support these serious allegations.
“The minister has failed to respond to my request. Therefore, I must conclude that his statement was intended solely to gaslight the nation to avoid accountability for the evident maladministration and malfeasance in the NDDC.
“I recognise that the House has not always lived up to the high expectations of the Nigerian people. As much as we still have a lot to do in that regard, I refuse to sit here in good conscience and allow anyone to assassinate the character of the House in an attempt to deflect accountability for their conduct in office.
“Such mendacity as was witnessed at the public hearing will not be tolerated from anybody no matter how highly- placed.
“This morning, I asked the Clerk to engage the services of legal counsel, and instruct them to initiate a criminal complaint of perjury against the minister. At the same time, we will instruct counsel to explore the possibility of a civil defamation suit against the minister.
“We will resist every attempt to undermine this institution, whether such attempts come from within or from outside.”
In the letter, Akpabio had said as a former Minority Leader of the Senate, he holds the legislature in high esteem.
