
The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei and staff of the Commission has staged a walk-out on the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC.
This was during resumed investigative public hearing organized by the House Committee on NDDC on financial malfeasance and other activities in the Niger Delta Development Commission which has hindered progress in the region 20 years after its establishment.
Trouble started after the chairman of the Committee on NDDC, Mr. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC, Ondo) had finished reading his speech and stating the reasons for why the NDDC was invited, and just as he yielded the floor to the MD of the Niger Delta Development Commission to respond to the allegations that drama commenced.

Mr. Pondei started off in a very harsh and disrespectful manner by insisting he would not respond to any issue as raised by the chairman because he lacked the moral grounds to preside over a meeting which he (Tunji-Ojo) happens to be an interested party.
According to him, “we are not comfortable with the chairman of this Committee. The chairman of this Committee has, Mr. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo has been accused of various crimes against by Niger Delta Development Commission and as interested party he can not preside over this meeting”.
Although, some Members of the Committee tried to shut the MD off as he was talking, as Mr. Shehu Koko (APC, Kebbi) the chairman Committee on Airforce raised a point of order to say the MD should not personalize the issues but that if he has any complain against the Chairman of the Committee he should have reported at the appropriate quarters.
Speaking, Mr. Koko said: ” if you have anything against the Chairman you can go to EFCC (Economic Financial Crimes Commission), ICPC (Independent Corrupt Practices Commission) or any of the security outfits to lay your complaints but as far as the rules of this House is concerned, you can not come here and decide how we should conduct our affairs”.
The spokesperson of the House, Mr. Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia) who was also present collaborated the position of his colleague.
“There is no petition before us (House) against the Chairman’s misconduct so you can not come here and tell us how to conduct our affairs. After all, you have a right to fair hearing and that is why you were invited here”.
At that point where Mr. Koko raised his point of order, the Managing Director of NDDC flared and said ” what point of order, you can not stop me, I’m talking. You can’t stop me “, and he stood up and walked away with his staff following suit.
Interestingly, members of the NDDC committee past a vote of confidence on the chairman as Mr. Victor Kolade (APC, Ondo) moved the motion and it passed as all the lawmakers chorused in the affirmative.
Recall that the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC its counterpart in the Senate are probing the NDDC for non submission of financial reports to the Auditor General’s office and other corruption allegations.
On the other hand, the NDDC has also accused the National Assembly lawmakers of culpability in the same corruption allegations. So there have been this back and forth between the lawmakers and the Commission.
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