The governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has reiterated the resolve of South-South governors to support the forensic audit of the NDDC. He made this known in a series tweets via his verified Twitter handle:
“Alongside my brothers, the governors of the other South-South states, I have been monitoring the crisis in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that has taken front and center stage in the national news. After due consultations with the other governors, the South-South Governors Forum wishes to categorically state that we wholeheartedly support the forensic audit of the NDDC as ordered by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari.
This is because, we believe that the audit will help to reposition the NDDC to better deliver on its mandate for the good people of the Niger Delta region. Additionally, the South-South Governors Forum also gives its full backing to the investigation of the NDDC by the Senate. Moving forward, we also wish to advise all the stakeholders in the current crisis in the NDDC to refrain from utterances and actions that will breach the peace and security of the region.
We are, therefore, constrained to condemn in unequivocal terms the attempt to abduct Ms Joi Nunieh, the immediate past Acting MD of the Commission, yesterday. It was unwarranted, unnecessary, and uncalled for. While we call on all the relevant security authorities to investigate this unfortunate development, let it be on record that we are neither in support of nor against any of the actors in this controversy.
However, as responsible public servants and leaders in the Niger Delta, we are mindful of the implications her attempted abduction could have on the peace and security of the region.
Finally, we wish to reiterate that both the forensic audit and the Senate investigation should continue and be concluded promptly, as we all want to see an NDDC that helps to accelerate the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta region.”
Okowa said in the statement.