Senate President Godswill Akpabio has challenged former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, to provide evidence to support his allegation that he introduced a 50 per cent deduction from payments made to contractors handling projects for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akpabio, through his media office, dismissed the allegation as an unsubstantiated claim and insisted that Amaechi must produce documents showing how the alleged deductions were implemented during his tenure as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
The development follows comments reportedly made by Amaechi during a political rally in Bauchi State on Saturday, November 14.
The former governor accused Akpabio of introducing a system under which 50 per cent of payments due to NDDC contractors were allegedly deducted.
Amaechi reportedly linked the alleged practice to Akpabio’s time as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, a position he occupied between August 2019 and May 2022 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The allegation has drawn a response from the Senate President’s camp, with his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, insisting that such a serious accusation must be supported by verifiable records.
In a statement issued on Sunday and titled ‘Amaechi’s NDDC Allegation: Public Accountability Requires Evidence, Not Campaign Declaration’, Eyiboh questioned the basis of the former governor’s claim.
He maintained that Amaechi had not presented any contract documents, payment records or identifiable transactions to establish that the alleged deductions took place.
According to him, making allegations against a public office holder requires more than public speeches, particularly when the claims involve the management of public funds and the operations of an institution responsible for development in the Niger Delta.
Eyiboh challenged the former Rivers governor to provide specific details about the alleged arrangement, including the contractors affected, the projects involved, the dates of the transactions and the individuals responsible for authorising the deductions.
He also insisted that Amaechi should present evidence connecting Akpabio personally to the alleged financial arrangement rather than making general accusations.
“If Mr Amaechi possesses credible evidence of unlawful deductions involving NDDC contractors, the appropriate course is to identify the relevant transactions, disclose the supporting records and submit the material to competent investigative authorities,” Eyiboh said.
The Senate President’s spokesman argued that the seriousness of an allegation should be measured by the evidence presented to support it.
He maintained that neither the political position of an accuser nor the strength of his public statements could replace documentary proof.
Eyiboh further argued that issues concerning public expenditure should be handled through established accountability procedures.
He said allegations involving government agencies must be investigated using relevant financial records and other verifiable information.
However, the response from Akpabio’s camp did not end with a demand for evidence.
Eyiboh also questioned Amaechi’s own record during his eight years as governor of Rivers State between 2007 and 2015.
He argued that the former governor should also be prepared to answer questions about major projects and government initiatives undertaken during his administration.
Among the projects he specifically mentioned were the Port Harcourt monorail and the Malaria-free Rivers State initiative.
On the monorail project, Eyiboh raised concerns about the amount reportedly committed to its construction, the level of implementation and whether the project delivered the transportation benefits originally promised to residents.
He maintained that the project remained an important subject for public examination, particularly regarding the money spent, the extent of work completed and the value delivered to the people of Rivers State.
The Malaria-free Rivers State initiative also featured in his response.
Eyiboh questioned its expenditure, sustainability and overall outcomes, arguing that public programmes should be assessed based on their implementation and the benefits they provide to citizens.
He suggested that Amaechi’s years in office should not be excluded from public accountability simply because he was now making allegations against another political office holder.
Eyiboh warned against turning serious matters of public interest into political arguments without providing the necessary facts to support the claims.
He stressed that accountability should apply to everyone who has occupied a position of public trust, regardless of political affiliation or current status.
He further stated that the people of the Niger Delta deserved more than political promises and accusations.
According to him, residents should be able to demand transparent procurement processes, completed infrastructure projects and measurable development outcomes from the NDDC.
The spokesman urged Amaechi to forward any evidence in his possession to the appropriate investigative authorities rather than relying solely on statements made at political gatherings.
He maintained that public officials and former office holders must be prepared to answer questions about their decisions, particularly where public funds and development projects are concerned.
Eyiboh concluded his response with a call for evidence-based public accountability, saying, “Let the facts speak.”