“Wike Challenges Tinubu to Release NDDC Audit Report, Alleges Amaechi’s Corruption”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publicly release the long-awaited forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), claiming it contains damning revelations against former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi. Wike made this demand during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, stirring controversy with fresh accusations of corruption and mismanagement under the past administration.

According to Wike, the audit report, commissioned by the Federal Government in 2021, has been deliberately concealed to protect individuals, including former officials and their close associates, who may be implicated in the alleged financial misappropriation.

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Wike Pushes for NDDC Audit Report Release

“The President should do Nigerians a favour and release the forensic audit report of the NDDC,” Wike urged during the interview. “If what I’m saying is not in that report, I will resign as the Minister of the FCT. I don’t worship the office.”

Wike alleged that the report exposes major fraud within the commission between its inception in 2001 and August 2019. The audit was initially launched to investigate the NDDC’s financial records, project implementation, and potential misuse of public funds. However, it has remained under wraps since its completion.

He went further to suggest that the withholding of the report serves to shield powerful figures from accountability.

Amaechi and Wife Accused of NDDC Ties

A significant part of Wike’s criticism was directed at Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State and one-time Minister of Transport. He accused Amaechi of being “one of the most corrupt people” in Nigerian politics and claimed the former minister had benefited from illicit contracts awarded through the NDDC.

Wike took particular aim at Amaechi’s wife, asserting without presenting evidence that she was awarded contracts under the guise of women empowerment programs in the Niger Delta. This came in response to Amaechi’s earlier statement, where he praised his wife as being “almost an industrialist.”

“He (Amaechi) said his wife is almost an industrialist. Is it not because she got contracts to train women monthly?” Wike retorted. “I came from a comfortable background. I didn’t steal money. His problem with me is that I drive a Rolls-Royce. So what? Mine wasn’t from a contractor. But his was a bribe from a contractor.”

In a more personal jab, Wike also questioned Amaechi’s academic credentials, claiming the former governor failed to graduate from Rivers State University—a claim that has not been independently verified.

NDDC: A History of Controversy

The NDDC has long been plagued by accusations of corruption and inefficiency. In July 2020, a House of Representatives probe into the commission revealed deep-seated irregularities. Then-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, openly declared that members of the National Assembly were some of the “greatest beneficiaries” of the NDDC contracts—a claim that shocked many Nigerians.

During the same hearing, drama unfolded when the acting managing director of the NDDC, Daniel Pondei, collapsed under questioning. That incident became symbolic of the chaos and secrecy surrounding the commission’s affairs. Akpabio also clashed with Joi Nunieh, a former NDDC managing director, who appeared via Zoom and made counterclaims about systemic fraud within the agency.

Despite multiple promises by past administrations to clean up the NDDC, the audit findings have yet to see daylight. Many Nigerians view the silence surrounding the report as a glaring indicator of how deeply entrenched the corruption runs.

Political Implications as 2027 Approaches

Wike’s public challenge to Tinubu adds another layer to the country’s evolving political narrative. With increasing calls for transparency and accountability, especially as Nigeria inches toward the 2027 general elections, this renewed focus on the NDDC could reframe discussions about anti-corruption efforts and leadership integrity.

The minister’s blunt criticism of Amaechi—who also has ambitions within Nigeria’s political future—could set the stage for further revelations and confrontations. While Amaechi has yet to respond directly to Wike’s latest comments, the back-and-forth is expected to continue intensifying political rivalries in Rivers State and beyond.

For now, Wike insists that unless the audit report is released, questions will persist about who really benefited from the trillions allocated to the NDDC and why accountability continues to elude the agency.