By George Mgbeleke

The Senate Tuesday through its committee on South East Development Commission ( SEDC), took up the Managing Director of the Commission , Mark Okoye over suspected mismanagement of N16.6billion received from 2025 budget allocations .

The committee chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( Abia North) , specifically frowned at N153million the commission claimed it spent to rent one room liaison office in Abuja and N2.5billion categorised as implied expenditure .

Trouble came the way of the MD and other top management staff of the commission when the committee went through financial report submitted to it during investigative hearing it had with them .

Irked by failure of the MD to account for expenditures made so far from the N16.6billion received so far from federal budget , members of the committee and the chairman , expressed disappointment and vowed to make him account for what has been expended .

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in particular told the embattled MD that from inquisition made by the committee , the Central Bank of Nigeria had informed it that N13billion is what is left from the N16.6billion SEDC collected in December last year , meaning that N3.6billion has been spent and must be accounted for .

” This committee is disappointed with the financial report given , which is completely unacceptable” , he said .

Other members of the committee like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), Victor Umeh ( Anambra Central) , Austin Akobundu ( Abia Central ) , expressed displeasure on the report presented .

However the SEDC MD in his defence , said expenditures carried out so far from money received were judiciously made.

“Our approach has been to ensure that available resources are directed towards priority projects. We want allocations to guide the procurement process so that contracts awarded can be backed by available funding.

“What we want to avoid is a situation where contracts are awarded without the financial capacity to execute them.

“For example, having a budget of N140 billion does not automatically mean that N140 billion in cash is available.

“It would be irresponsible to award contracts worth the entire budget if only N10 billion or N20 billion has actually been released. Doing so South East Dev.Commission’s MD under fire in Senate over financial mismanagement
….Orders to account for N16.6billion collected from 2025 budget

By George Mgbeleke

The Senate Tuesday through its committee on South East Development Commission ( SEDC), took up the Managing Director of the Commission , Mark Okoye over suspected mismanagement of N16.6billion received from 2025 budget allocations .

The committee chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu ( Abia North) , specifically frowned at N153million the commission claimed it spent to rent one room liaison office in Abuja and N2.5billion categorised as implied expenditure .

Trouble came the way of the MD and other top management staff of the commission when the committee went through financial report submitted to it during investigative hearing it had with them .

Irked by failure of the MD to account for expenditures made so far from the N16.6billion received so far from federal budget , members of the committee and the chairman , expressed disappointment and vowed to make him account for what has been expended .

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in particular told the embattled MD that from inquisition made by the committee , the Central Bank of Nigeria had informed it that N13billion is what is left from the N16.6billion SEDC collected in December last year , meaning that N3.6billion has been spent and must be accounted for .

” This committee is disappointed with the financial report given , which is completely unacceptable” , he said .

Other members of the committee like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe ( Abia South), Victor Umeh ( Anambra Central) , Austin Akobundu ( Abia Central ) , expressed displeasure on the report presented .

However the SEDC MD in his defence , said expenditures carried out so far from money received were judiciously made.

“Our approach has been to ensure that available resources are directed towards priority projects. We want allocations to guide the procurement process so that contracts awarded can be backed by available funding.

“What we want to avoid is a situation where contracts are awarded without the financial capacity to execute them.

“For example, having a budget of N140 billion does not automatically mean that N140 billion in cash is available.

“It would be irresponsible to award contracts worth the entire budget if only N10 billion or N20 billion has actually been released. Doing so would create unfunded liabilities and a significant financial deficit”

Not satisfied with his explanation , the committee through its Chairman, consequently ,directed the commission to submit comprehensive records, including contract details, payment information, and all supporting documents latest by 23rd of this month .

“By the 23rd, we want to have the complete documentation. Once we receive and review the documents, we will determine the date for your next appearance before the committee,” he said.

The Chairman thereafter adjourned the session, reiterating the committee’s expectation that all requested information would be submitted within the stipulated timeframe. create unfunded liabilities and a significant financial deficit”

Not satisfied with his explanation , the committee through its Chairman, consequently ,directed the commission to submit comprehensive records, including contract details, payment information, and all supporting documents latest by 23rd of this month .

“By the 23rd, we want to have the complete documentation. Once we receive and review the documents, we will determine the date for your next appearance before the committee,” he said.

The Chairman thereafter adjourned the session, reiterating the committee’s expectation that all requested information would be submitted within the stipulated timeframe.avid Owei

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and commended him for his courage and vision in establishing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). PANDEF described the party as a leading national movement and the biggest party of choice in Nigeria today.

According to a post on the official Facebook page of the NDC, the commendation was made by the Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Dr. Boladei Igali, when he led a delegation of the forum to the National Leader of the NDC at his personal residence in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Igali congratulated Senator Dickson for providing leadership in the formation and growth of the NDC.

He noted that the emergence of the NDC has added significant value to Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem and has continued to attract the interest and support of Nigerians across the country.

According to him, PANDEF recognizes the NDC as a leading national movement that is rapidly gaining acceptance among Nigerians and positioning itself as a major political force in the country.

Ambassador Igali explained that the visit formed part of PANDEF’s ongoing engagements with political parties and key political stakeholders across Nigeria.

He stated that the forum is committed to interacting with political leaders and organizations to discuss issues affecting the Niger Delta region and the nation as a whole.

He disclosed that PANDEF has already held discussions with a number of political parties and their leaders as part of its broader consultation process. The forum, he said, will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to policies and initiatives aimed at promoting peace, development, equity, and progress in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The PANDEF Chairman emphasized the importance of collaboration among political actors, regional organizations, and national institutions in addressing the challenges facing the country and advancing the welfare of citizens.

Ambassador Igali also extended congratulations to the National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, members of the National Working Committee, and party faithful across the country for their commitment to building the party and strengthening democratic participation in Nigeria.

“We came to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the NDC, first to congratulate him as a son of the Niger Delta for having the courage to come up with a national movement, and also to discuss the activities of the party.

“PANDEF is engaging with leaders of various political parties on issues pertaining to the Niger Delta and the country at large. We had a very fruitful discussion, and we appreciate the fact that the NDC has become a leading national movement and perhaps the party of choice for many Nigerians today. We are particularly pleased that this is happening at a time when we are at the helm of affairs in PANDEF.

“We have met with a number of other party leaders; some have come to see us, while we have visited others. We will continue to make our contributions towards making Nigeria a better place.

“Once again, we congratulate His Excellency, Senator Dickson. We also congratulate the Chairman of the party, the national leadership, and the teeming members and supporters of the NDC from across the country. We wish them all the very best in the evolving democratic dispensation.”

The visit further underscored PANDEF’s resolve to maintain constructive engagement with political institutions and leaders while advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta region and supporting efforts geared towards national development and unity.

Also on the PANDEF delegation were, Hon. Bassey Nyong Ekefre, Deputy National Chairman and Ifeoma Onyeoma Agbomah, National Treasurer.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) on Monday paid a courtesy visit to Senator Henry Seriake Dickson and commended him for his courage and vision in establishing the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). PANDEF described the party as a leading national movement and the biggest party of choice in Nigeria today.

According to a post on the official Facebook page of the NDC, the commendation was made by the Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Dr. Boladei Igali, when he led a delegation of the forum to the National Leader of the NDC at his personal residence in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Ambassador Igali congratulated Senator Dickson for providing leadership in the formation and growth of the NDC.

He noted that the emergence of the NDC has added significant value to Nigeria’s democratic ecosystem and has continued to attract the interest and support of Nigerians across the country.

According to him, PANDEF recognizes the NDC as a leading national movement that is rapidly gaining acceptance among Nigerians and positioning itself as a major political force in the country.

Ambassador Igali explained that the visit formed part of PANDEF’s ongoing engagements with political parties and key political stakeholders across Nigeria.

He stated that the forum is committed to interacting with political leaders and organizations to discuss issues affecting the Niger Delta region and the nation as a whole.

He disclosed that PANDEF has already held discussions with a number of political parties and their leaders as part of its broader consultation process. The forum, he said, will continue to engage relevant stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to policies and initiatives aimed at promoting peace, development, equity, and progress in the Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The PANDEF Chairman emphasized the importance of collaboration among political actors, regional organizations, and national institutions in addressing the challenges facing the country and advancing the welfare of citizens.

Ambassador Igali also extended congratulations to the National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, members of the National Working Committee, and party faithful across the country for their commitment to building the party and strengthening democratic participation in Nigeria.

“We came to pay a courtesy call on His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the National Leader of the NDC, first to congratulate him as a son of the Niger Delta for having the courage to come up with a national movement, and also to discuss the activities of the party.

“PANDEF is engaging with leaders of various political parties on issues pertaining to the Niger Delta and the country at large. We had a very fruitful discussion, and we appreciate the fact that the NDC has become a leading national movement and perhaps the party of choice for many Nigerians today. We are particularly pleased that this is happening at a time when we are at the helm of affairs in PANDEF.

“We have met with a number of other party leaders; some have come to see us, while we have visited others. We will continue to make our contributions towards making Nigeria a better place.

“Once again, we congratulate His Excellency, Senator Dickson. We also congratulate the Chairman of the party, the national leadership, and the teeming members and supporters of the NDC from across the country. We wish them all the very best in the evolving democratic dispensation.”

The visit further underscored PANDEF’s resolve to maintain constructive engagement with political institutions and leaders while advocating for the interests of the Niger Delta region and supporting efforts geared towards national development and unity.

Also on the PANDEF delegation were, Hon. Bassey Nyong Ekefre, Deputy National Chairman and Ifeoma Onyeoma Agbomah, National Treasurer.

By George Mgbeleke

In line with Supreme Court judgment on internal party autonomy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally recognised the leadership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) under Abubakar Sadiq Gombe, in a development widely seen as a decisive step toward resolving the lingering leadership dispute within the party.

The recognition followed a review of relevant court judgments and internal party communications presented to the electoral body during recent engagements with SDP stakeholders in Abuja.

Party sources said INEC informed the delegation that it had taken note of Supreme Court pronouncements affirming the autonomy of political parties in determining their internal leadership structures, as well as documentation submitted by the Gombe-led faction.

The commission was also said to have considered minutes of party meetings, disciplinary records, and resolutions of the SDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC), which the Gombe group insists represents the authentic governing authority of the party.

The development effectively strengthens the position of the Gombe-led executive, which has maintained that leadership legitimacy flows strictly from party organs, particularly the NEC and National Working Committee (NWC), in line with constitutional provisions and judicial precedents.

Reacting to the development, party stakeholders aligned with the leadership described INEC’s recognition as a “restoration of order,” insisting that it validates earlier disciplinary actions and internal decisions taken to stabilise the party structure.

However, observers note that the decision may deepen tensions with rival factions still contesting control of the party’s national structure, setting the stage for possible further legal and political engagements.

INEC has not issued an official public statement detailing the scope of its recognition, but officials familiar with the meeting say the commission urged all sides to adhere strictly to due process and court rulings to avoid further escalation.

The SDP leadership crisis has been one of the most closely watched internal party disputes, with implications for opposition alignment and preparations ahead of future elections.

For now, the recognition of the Gombe-led structure marks a significant turning point in the struggle for control of the party’s national leadership.