I never bribed members of NASS with any amount  – Akpabio•••Says, those who looted NDDC, behind allegation

Minister Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has described as ‘unfounded and a figment of the imagination of the author of a news’ item in some online media, alleging that his ministry has bribed members of the National Assembly with a whopping $2m.

Akpabio’s reaction was contained in a release, by his Chief Press Secretary, Anietie Ekong.

The release states inter alia

“The attention of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been drawn to a spurious news story making the rounds in the internet about alleged largesse of $2 million to National Assembly members.

“We wish to state categorically that the report is unfounded and the figment of the imagination of the author of the fake news, as Senator Akpabio has not given any largesse in whatever form to any member of the National Assembly.

“From our findings, this is one in a series of sponsored fictitious stories by the enemies of the Niger Delta Region meant to blackmail the Honourable Minister.

“People who have held the Niger Delta down through contract scams have become increasingly paranoid about the ongoing forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that they have resorted to sponsoring baseless, unfounded and fictitious report against the Supervising Minister. Their frustration is palpable.

“No responsible news website worth its name would without any scintilla of evidence make such an outrageous allegation against the Honourable Minister and Members of the National Assembly, except for pecuniary considerations by those who have raped the NDDC over the years.

“We want to once again draw the attention of the general public to their modus operandi which is to churn out fake news and weave hysterical narratives of corruption in the NDDC in a bid to truncate the ongoing forensic audit and stop Senator Akpabio from sanitizing the Commission.

“However, we want to once again reemphasized that no amount of sponsored fake news and blackmail would deter Senator Akpabio from doing the right thing and returning NDDC to a path of accountability and probity in the overall interest of the long suffering people of the Niger Delta.