By Our Correspondent
Following threats of lawsuit by Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, the Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) has said that its demand for accountability does not equate to defamation of character.
The NDAF in a statement signed by its National President, Comrade Success Jack and other executives, made available to journalists on Monday, said the Forum has been asking for probity, transparency and accountability over the past few weeks from those involved in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) palliative meant for Cross River State.
“On Friday, February 14, the NDAF convened to review its activities thus far and deliberate on intelligence received from security agencies in the state regarding the ultimatum for our planned protest, which expired on the same day. The intervention/intelligence suggested that we discontinue the protest, as certain individuals had mobilized hoodlums to hijack it and cause mayhem.
“While deliberations were ongoing, NDAF was inundated with notifications of an intended litigation from Mr. Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, SAN, and other counsels representing Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr. They informed us that their client had instructed them to institute legal proceedings against NDAF for alleged defamatory publications. The senator would demand that NDAF pay him two billion naira (₦2,000,000,000) in damages. NDAF should desist from making further publications against him, publish an apology letter in two national dailies, and cover the costs of the lawsuit, including solicitors’ fees, as conditions for settlement within seven days,” the statement read in parts.
The Niger Delta forum however said it is neither intimidated nor frightened by the legal threat, adding that it will not apologise for seeking accountability from a the lawmaker. “Rather, he should apologize to NDAF and the general public.”
How It Started.
The group noted that towards the end of January 2025, there was a war of nerves between the loyalists of the governor and the senator, with accusations and counter-accusations regarding the mismanagement and hijacking of palliatives meant for Cross River State by the NDDC.
According to the NDAF, some of the senator’s loyalists published a purported list of beneficiaries allegedly compiled by Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke, the Cross River State representative on the NDDC board.
It added that on January 27, Rt. Hon. Duke published his official position on the saga, stating:
“The Commission had earmarked ₦100 million for distribution to 50 groups in Cross River State, with each group expected to receive ₦2 million. Unfortunately, this project was hijacked by the senator representing the Southern Senatorial District, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, who took control of the funds without consulting me as the state representative. For the record, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong is currently keeping the ₦100 million released by the NDDC for youths and women across the three senatorial zones of Cross River State.”
This NDAF said the allegation by the Cross River State representative was not debunked by the senator.
To this end, the group said it issued a press release on January 28th, questioning the senator’s silence while awaiting his response.
Furthermore, the forum said it issued another statement on January 29, calling on him to respond to Rt. Hon. Duke’s allegations and address other pressing concerns. “Yet again, the senator blatantly refused to issue a rejoinder.”
The statement added that On January 30, 2025, the Director of Corporate Affairs for NDDC, Mr. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, issued a statement asserting:
“Nothing can be farther from the truth, as Niger Deltans in the nine mandate states of the NDDC, including Cross River State, received the palliatives with joy and gratitude.
“However, we are constrained to respond to the false story about an imaginary diversion of NDDC funds meant for palliatives in Cross River State and the use of unauthorized lists. To set the record straight, NDDC distributed palliatives, not money, as alleged in the story circulating in the media, and the list of beneficiaries was duly approved by the NDDC Board.”
The NDAF however said it was astonished that the NDDC’s statement failed to provide a detailed explanation in response to Rt. Hon. Duke’s allegations but was rather economical with the truth.
The group said in pursuit of clarity, it released another statement on February 1, 2025, calling on the NDDC to publish a comprehensive list of beneficiaries from Cross River State who allegedly received the palliatives “with joy and gratitude,” and also asked the following questions:
“Was the governor of Cross River State aware of the list of beneficiaries, or was he consulted before it was generated?
“Since the NDDC stated that the list was duly approved by its board, did Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke, the board member representing Cross River State, participate in the approval process?
“Who submitted the list of beneficiaries for Cross River State—Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong or Rt. Hon. Otuekong Orok Otu Duke?”
“At every stage of issuing press releases, the senator chose to remain silent, despite having a duty to respond. Failing to speak when called upon implies acceptance. Consequently, on February 10, NDAF declared him persona non grata—the final straw that broke the camel’s back,” the Niger Delta Group said.
Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong’s reaction according the NDAF reads thus:
“Surprisingly, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr has ignored the man who directly accused him of hijacking ₦100 million in palliatives and has instead chosen to threaten legal action against a forum merely demanding accountability.
“As ridiculous as this is, the senator has, in the past, benefited from NDAF’s agitations. For instance, when he was Commissioner for Finance, the state government under Sen. Ben Ayade had a contract with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the supply of rice seedlings to South-South states. The state fulfilled its obligations, but the CBN delayed payment. NDAF addressed the press and threatened a protest, after which security agencies intervened, leading to the release of funds.
“More recently, Sen. Ekpenyong called for the Senate to summon Julius Berger, Sermatech, and CCIC to explain the delay in the Itu-Odukpani road project. However, he must be reminded that NDAF protests between 2018 and 2021 led to the award of that contract.
“Similarly, in September 2020, over 2,500 civil servants were delisted from the Cross River State government payroll by Gov. Ben Ayade. NDAF protested for days until they were reinstated.”
“For more on NDAF’s interventions, visit the following links:
“https://www.fmw.gov.ng/read/2137
“https://www.thetidenewsonline.com/2020/08/26/lawmaker-hails-ndelta-groups-protest-over-collapsed-road/
“https://ait.live/youths-protest-deplorable-calabar-idu-highway/
“https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/12/well-shut-calabar-itu-road-if-says-niger-delta-forum/amp/
“https://dailypost.ng/2020/08/22/niger-delta-activists-stage-peaceful-protest-over-deplorable-state-of-calabar-odukpani-itu-roads/,” the group added.
