Relief International Africa commends the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, for his bold and timely call for the release of the forensic audit report on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). His statement, made during his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, 4th July 2025, resonates deeply with long-standing demands by civil society actors, anti-corruption campaigners, and concerned citizens of the Niger Delta region.
It has been over two decades since the establishment of the NDDC, an interventionist agency created to transform the oil-rich but deeply impoverished Niger Delta. Unfortunately, instead of becoming a beacon of development, the Commission has been mired in allegations of systemic corruption, project abandonment, and mismanagement of public resources. The forensic audit, commissioned by the Federal Government, was expected to bring to light the extent of rot within the Commission, but its report has yet to be made public despite several calls from different quarters.
Relief International Africa believes that the Honorable Minister’s call aligns with the collective yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta and the broader Nigerian public who seek transparency, justice, and meaningful development. Making the audit report public is a critical first step in confronting the truth about abandoned projects, misappropriated funds, and unfulfilled promises. It also provides a pathway to prosecute all those found culpable no matter how highly placed and restore public trust in governance.
This is a clarion call for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate the sincerity of his administration’s commitment to the anti-corruption agenda. Nigerians, especially the people of the Niger Delta, are watching closely. A decisive action in this regard will not only reinforce the credibility of the current administration but also serve as a powerful message that impunity will no longer be tolerated in our public institutions.
Relief International Africa stands firmly with all advocates of accountability and good governance. We urge the federal government to heed this crucial call and release the full findings of the forensic audit without delay. The future of the Niger Delta and the credibility of our anti-corruption efforts depend on it.
Signed:
Amb. Green Isaac(AFP, YAP,AERC, AIPM)
Executive Director
[email protected]