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NDDC LEADERSHIP TUSSLE: Minister of Transport Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi In US$4million Bribery Scam


Just like in every game where you have winners and losers, the Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi may have become the highest loser in the game of power play to determine who will soon call the shot at the helm of affairs of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. 

Our investigation revealed that so far, a whopping sum of US$4m has already gone down the drain as a bribe to President Muhammadu Buhari’s allies, popularly known as the “Villa Cabal” with the Minister of Transport at the center of the said bribe. 
The Controversial Minister, according to findings has allegedly so far doled out US$4m to pave way for the emergence of his preferred candidate at the helm of affairs in NDDC.
While the amount of bribe allegedly doled out by Amaechi may seem staggering in a country where the greater number are wallowing in abject poverty, the money may just be part of the US$10m “facilitation” money, allegedly demanded by a member of the Cabal if Amaechi must have his candidate there at the helm of affairs.  A source who disclosed this to LeadingReporters described Amaechi’s offer of US$10m to cabal members as an investment that would be recouped with other goodies once the minister succeeds in placing his candidate there.
According to a discreet source who told LeadingReporters about the illicit deal between Rotimi Amaechi and a member of the cabal who lives in the Nigeria Presidential Villa, the money was only part of a larger bargain. Amaechi is said to be desperately pushing for the emergence of his chosen candidate.  This, according to our source will enable him to stay financially afloat since his unsuccessful outing in the last Governorship election in Rivers State.
“The US$4m is just part of what was agreed on.  The Minister provided the money with an understanding that when his choice candidate emerges, he and the cabals would have the first choice for every juicy contract from that commission.
“Niger Delta Development Commission has become a cash-cow for the elites.  It is an agency that rains free money into the pockets of political elites, their cronies and loyalists.
However, it was learnt by this platform that President Buhari, upon being told what transpired immediately called for suspension of further ratification of any board, insisting that whoever that would man the agency must be someone with impeccable character who would transform the fortune of the agency and thus deliver dividends of democracy to benefitting States.
Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari has hinted recently that he would call for a forensic audit of NDDC.  This follows a series of allegations of contract racketeering and diversion of funds meant for developmental projects within the oil Producing States.
Recall the Minister of Niger Delta, Mr Godswil Akpabio has recently revealed that NDDC has performed woefully over the years with a debt burden of over N2trn, which he described as “possibly political” debt.

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