Minister Accused of Shunning NASS Hearing Over Alleged Programme Irregularities

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has been accused of failing to appear before the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions during a scheduled investigative hearing into allegations of misconduct in the ministry’s economic empowerment training programme.

The petition, filed by a civil society organisation, Niger Delta Focus, accuses the minister and his Special Assistant on Administration, James Khanoba, of gross impropriety, abuse of office, and irregularities in the implementation of the programme across the Niger Delta.

The hearing, held on Wednesday at the National Assembly, followed a petition earlier submitted to the House through a lawmaker representing Ogbia Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in October 2025.

At the centre of the petition are claims that the ministry, under Momoh’s leadership, reduced approved training allowances for participants from ₦500,000 to ₦250,000 without justification.

The petitioners allege that this marks a departure from previous administrations, where beneficiaries reportedly received the full amount alongside other entitlements such as accommodation, feeding, transportation, and training materials.

They also raised concerns about the alleged hijacking of the programme by the minister’s aide, bypassing established departmental structures within the ministry.

The Niger Delta Focus further alleged that the selection process for beneficiaries has been compromised by nepotism and favouritism, with claims that individuals from a particular state were prioritised over other stakeholders across the Niger Delta region.

Other concerns raised in the petition include questions over the authenticity of beneficiary lists, doubts about the credibility of consultants and contractors handling the programme, and lack of transparency in the execution of training programmes for 2023 and 2024.

Stakeholders from the region warned that the alleged irregularities could heighten tensions in the oil rich Niger Delta and undermine the relative peace in the area.

The petition also alleged that the President of Niger Delta Focus, Finidi Jahbless, has received threats following his role in exposing the claims, although these allegations have not been independently verified.

Members of the Public Petitions Committee expressed concern over the minister’s absence at the hearing. Following deliberations, the committee adopted the petition and adjourned further proceedings to June 9, 2026.

Petitioners are demanding a full investigation into the programme and are calling on the Federal Government to compel the minister to account for funds allocated to the initiative in the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.

They also urged authorities to ensure that affected beneficiaries receive full payments and that due process is followed in the administration of the programme.

Efforts to reach the minister or his aides for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The development raises questions about compliance with legislative oversight and whether the minister will honour the next hearing scheduled by the National Assembly.