CALABAR – The Niger Delta Activists Forum (NDAF) has publicly declared Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong persona non grata, accusing him of interfering with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board’s operations and diverting ₦100 million in social security funds meant for Cross River State youths.
According to the forum’s statement, the ₦100 million fund—originally earmarked for the purchase of 1,000 bags of rice at ₦100,000 per bag—was monetised by the NDDC board to avoid additional logistics costs. However, the disbursement process, which originated from the office of the Special Assistant to the Managing Director on Youth Affairs, resulted in the funds being credited to Senator Ekpenyong’s account.
The senator, who also Chairs the Senate Committee on the NDDC, is accused of overstepping his role by engaging in functions reserved for NDDC operational staff.
In a detailed public intervention, NDAF clarified that:
- The NDDC board had approved the overall scheme and funds without specifying individual recipients.
- Contrary to misleading reports, no rice was distributed; instead, the scheme was monetised.
- State representatives are charged with coordinating the fund’s execution and ensuring accountability.
- Senator Ekpenyong, not being a staff member or appointee of the NDDC, has no official operational role and should limit his involvement to legislative duties.
- Questions remain regarding the selection process of 10,000 youths for the ₦50,000 monthly empowerment scheme announced by the Presidency.
The forum’s statement also noted that initial accusations had been misdirected toward Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the board member representing Cross River State, but subsequent clarifications shifted the focus to Senator Ekpenyong’s role in the process.
The NDAF leadership condemned a statement issued by the NDDC—signed by Seledi Thompson Wakama—as “shameful” and “logically incoherent,” alleging that it contained blatant falsehoods regarding the fund’s disbursement.
In a stern warning to both the senator and the NDDC, the forum declared that if their concerns are not addressed by Friday, February 14, they will escalate their protest. The planned action includes staging a mass protest and shutting down the NDDC Calabar office, with potential for similar actions across other Niger Delta states until “justice is served.”
The statement, signed by top NDAF officials including National President Comrade Success Jack, National Youth Leader Comrade Bernard Okori, Cross River State Chairman Comrade Paul Ajie, State Secretary Comrade Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and Director of Mobilisation Comrade Chris Edadi, has been forwarded to key stakeholders. These include the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command; the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Cross River State; and the NDDC leadership in both Port Harcourt and Cross River State.
The Niger Delta Activists Forum insists that both the Executive Governor of Cross River State and its advisory council members be fully consulted regarding the upcoming disbursement under the youth empowerment scheme. With accusations of mismanagement and diversion of funds circulating, the forum’s bold move underscores growing tensions over transparency and accountability in the management of public resources destined for youth development.
As events unfold, all eyes remain on the response from Senator Ekpenyong, who has refused to take calls or reply to messages since being accused over 2 weeks ago, and the NDDC, as well as the potential impact of the planned protests on regional stability.
Efforts to reach the Senator on the Phone on Monday, February 10, and Tuesday, February 11, proved abortive as his phone line did not connect on several occasions.
