Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Chief James Onanefe Ibori, a former governor of Delta state has denied reports linking him with collection of contracts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Ibori, in a statement by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor said while he did not want to join in the market square dance currently going on in the NDDC, he decided to set the records straight following several calls by his friends and associates over the false allegation.

While advising Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to calm down and face the task ahead, Ibori who described the allegation as ridiculous said the level this is not the NDDC which he and his governor colleagues fought for its creation during the Olusegun Obasanjo presidency.

The statement reads “Chief James Onanefe Ibori, on hearing the news of the alleged Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contract award to him this morning, from the former Governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as published by Punch newspapers and other online publications, he did not want to join in the “dancing in the market square” going on in the NDDC right now”.

“He has decided to make this clarification for the records because friends and associates inundated him with phone calls this morning. So, he is stating categorically that he never solicited for, or was awarded, or indeed executed any contract with NDDC or any government agency, at any time, for that matter”.

“And in all he has been through in and out of public office, he has never been accused of been a government contractor, let alone a failed one hence he did not want to dignify the allegation with a response because it is ridiculous. So, Ibori is advising Akpabio, his brother, friend and member of the former Governors Forum, to please calm down and focus on the task at hand”.

“Ibori said that the NDDC we have today is a product of his personal sacrifice as well as those of his Niger Delta colleagues (1999 -2007) who rose to the occasion to override the veto of President Olusegun Obasanjo who refused to accent to the NDDC Bill at the time. “If not for the exemplary courage some of us exhibited, there would have not been an NDDC to bicker about today”, he said.

Ibori added: “Watching the level the NDDC has degenerated to, is a tragedy. We owe it a duty to the people of the Niger Delta to make NDDC work to ameliorate the sufferings of the people of the region and to realise the dream for which we fought for it to be set up. So, let everybody involved in the NDDC do their duties to the good people of the region”.

https://www.independent.ng/ibori-to-akpabio-calm-down-i-never-got-any-nddc-contract/

Akapbio , the uncommon Minister

Funny how only those who has been in prison responded asap. Orji Uzor Kalu and now Ibori.

The fear of prison is the beginning of wisdom.

forget. no be naija wey dey? how many months OUK spend for the 'fake' prison

Kriss216:
Funny how only those who has been in prison responded asap. Orji Uzor Kalu and now Ibori.

The fear of prison is the beginning of wisdom.

NDDC

This is laughable.
I like the way they are all coming out to deny.

This Ibori is shameless after the jail term he's still doing sharp practices.

His response does not hold water when put side by side with the grave allegations against his person

Lol, he even had to use the CALM DOWN word...
Anyone found guilty should be punished irrespective of race, religion or even political affiliation. Nigeria and Nigerians deserve better!

issue keeps unfolding.

Calm down!!!

Only in Nigeria where convicted crooks confidently bestride the corridors of power (Ibori, Bode George, for example), while those from whom they've stolen and who remain impoverished as a consequence of the actions and inactions of the crooks pay unwavering obeisance to the crooks.

Nigerians aren't near ready yet.