News
Reps Committee Warns MDAs Over Failure to Appear in Ports Concession Probe
…say missing documents stalling investigation
By Gloria Ikibah
The Chairman of the House of Representatives AdHoc Committee investigating Concessioned Ports And Terminals, Rep. Kolawole Davidson Akinlayo, has issued a stern warning to several federal agencies and companies accused of failing to cooperate with the ongoing probe into concession agreements covering Nigeria’s air and sea terminals.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Rep. Akinlayo said the committee, was inaugurated on 3 February 2026 by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, and mandated to examine the performance and benefits accruing to the Federal Government from concession arrangements between 2006 and 2025.
He explained that the committee was tasked with reviewing the terms and conditions of concession agreements, assessing revenue flows and remittances to government agencies, evaluating compliance with regulatory and safety obligations, and examining the impact of the concessions on infrastructure development, operational efficiency and labour conditions.
“These assets—our seaports, airports, terminals and jetties—are not ordinary commercial facilities.
“They are sovereign economic gateways, national security infrastructure, and critical enablers of trade, mobility and development,” Akinlayo said.
The lawmaker, however, expressed frustration over what he described as the reluctance of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to appear before the committee or submit requested documents.
Akinlayo also noted that while some stakeholders had cooperated, others had repeatedly ignored invitations from the committee or failed to provide complete documentation.
“More than one month into this onerous assignment, we have been faced with the daunting challenge of compelling relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government to appear and provide the necessary and required information to enable the Committee completes its work within the stipulated time.
“For example, the Nigerian Customs Service had appeared before us but disappointedly failed to comply fully with our requests,” he added.
He further warned that several agencies and organisations must immediately change their approach to the investigation or face constitutional sanctions.
Those mentioned include the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Nigeria LNG Limited, Intels Nigeria Limited and Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
He emphasised that the committee will invoke its constitutional powers if the agencies continued to disregard parliamentary invitations.
“In the light of the foregoing, we wish to give the last warning to the chief executive officers and heads of the following agencies to change their attitude towards the committee or have themselves to blame.
“I wish to state without mincing words that this Committee will not hesitate to subpoena any disrespectful and uncooperative CEO or head of MDAs.
“We will not develop cold feet in directing the Inspector General of Police to arrest any CEO or head of MDAs that fails to honour our invitation,” he said.
According to committee chairman, the legislature is empowered under Sections 89 and 129 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to issue summons, warrants and sanctions in the course of exercising its oversight functions.
Rep. Akinlayo insisted the investigation was not intended to target any organisation but to ensure accountability in the management of critical national assets.
According to him, the probe will help determine whether the concession arrangements had delivered value to the country.
“We are not witch-hunting anybody or organisation but the mandate given to us by the House must be accomplished and in doing so, we will not spare any CEO or officer or individual or group that have resolved to treat the parliament with contempt.
“Nigerians deserve to know whether these concessions have delivered value for money, complied with contractual obligations, enhanced national competitiveness, protected public assets, and contributed meaningfully to economic growth, employment and revenue generation,” he said.
The committee therefore appealed to the affected agencies and organisations to respond promptly to the committee’s invitations, stressing that the investigation must be concluded within the stipulated timeframe.
Responding to questions from journalists if a preliminary investigation was carried out, Rep. Akinlayo said the committee had so far only conducted preliminary engagements with agencies and stakeholders within the port concession ecosystem.
He explained that most concessionaires have submitted documents requested by the committee, but the materials were incomplete.
According to him, the committee cannot begin substantive work on the probe because key government agencies have yet to produce documents covering nearly two decades of concession arrangements.
“What we’ve done thus far was after our inauguration, we’ve had an interactive session with all the agencies and all the stakeholders in that ecosystem.
“What we’ve realised was all the post-concessionaire have submitted all documents that are requested from them.
“Although a majority of them also made our submission because we requested documents from 2006 to 2025,” he explained.
However, he noted that many of the submissions only covered a much shorter period.
“But we realised that a majority of them submitted documents from 2020 to 2025, claiming they don’t have those other documents that they’ve crashed or whatever.
“But we insisted that those documents must be submitted to us before we can commence our work.
“The interaction we had with them was when we invited the agency to come, they came. The NPA was represented by a GM of the agency and some other organisations”, he stated.
Akinlayo explained that the committee had made its mandate clear during those meetings.
“So, we spoke to them and we told them this is our mandate. Our mandate is to examine and project the agreement signed between the federal government and the concessionaire,” he said.
The key question, he added, is whether the agreements have benefited the country.
“How is that agreement? How is it profitable to Nigerian people? Is there any loss of revenue? So, that’s our major concern,” he said.
He stressed that the committee particularly requires records from the Nigerian Ports Authority, which he described as the principal custodian of the country’s port infrastructure.
“But what we’ve realised thus far is the NPA is the major custodian of ports. The port is under the purview of NPA.
“So, we want MPA to furnish with all the documents from 2006 to 2025. Without that, we can’t carry out our purpose,” Akinlayo said.
He added that the committee intends to broaden its investigation to include airport terminals once the port review has commenced.
“What about the airport? We are here to even commence work at the airport. So, our major work for now is to commence work on the terminals, port terminals,” Akinlayo said.
Responding to concerns that current agency heads may not have access to documents relating to agreements signed before they assumed office, Akinlayo dismissed the argument.
“Government is not built around an individual. Government is confidence. So, when you hold an office, a trust for the people, you know someday you will leave that office,” he said.
He said public officials must understand that their actions while in office could be scrutinised long after their tenure ends.
“And whatever actions or duty you carry out while in that office will be examined one day,” he said.
Akinlayo maintained that claims by current officials that they were not in office when earlier decisions were taken would not excuse them from cooperating with the investigation.
“For them to say that because they are not in the office where the act was perpetrated, that is not acceptable to us at this point,” he said.
He insisted that the agencies must locate the required records through official channels.
He also pointed out that government institutions maintain archival systems where such records should be stored.
“Because everything that happens, if you can provide, you should be able to give us somebody that can give us those documents,” he said.
…leaders urge resilience as pressure mounts within ADC ranks
By Gloria Ikibah
Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, have thrown their weight behind Rep. Leke Abejide, urging him to remain steadfast amid ongoing political tensions within his party the African Democratic Congress.
The messages of support were delivered during a dinner in Abuja held to celebrate the 50th birthday of his wife, Esther Abejide, where both leaders praised his resilience and commitment to democratic ideals.
They encouraged the Yagba Federal Constituency representative to stay the course and continue his efforts to stabilise and strengthen the African Democratic Congress, despite mounting internal challenges.
Bello described Abejide as a determined political figure who remains focused on his goals, while Gbajabiamila urged him to remain within the party and push for what he believes is right.
Their intervention comes at a time of heightened uncertainty within the ADC, with calls for unity and perseverance growing louder among party stakeholders.
Bello said, “Honourable Leke Abejide sought to be a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of APC then, and there are some mathematical miscalculations. But that never stopped him. He came second time and he is performing and touching lives across the board.
“Honourable Leke Abejide is acting as if he was the governor. At a point I was like, do you want to overthrow me? Honourable Leke Abigide sought to be the governor of Kogi State. He contested keenly with my amiable and wonderful successor. I know how many times our brother, the chief of staff, the president, intervened, called me, and several meetings were held. And I maintained one thing. I said, look, this is my brother. I will never deceive him. The politics of Kogi State, nobody knows better than I do at this stage. Let him just try his luck and learn and wait for an appropriate time.
“Honourable Leke Abejide did not lose. He only came to learn the act of politicking especially for governorship at that level in Kogi State. Honourable Leke Abejide did not hesitate to support and give all of his backings to my governor immediately after the election. He was under serious pressure to go to court. He was the first person who said he was not going to challenge it. Rather, he collapsed his structures and supported.
“Honourable Leke Abejide at National Assembly level, despite he belonged to ADC, he was supporting our president actively, both physically and covertly. Honourable Leke Abejide, we thank you for all your performance. Your Excellency, thank you for your guidance. The Chief of Staff, the President. Tell Mr. President that we appreciate you. And that myself and my governor, we have conferred on each other. And that we are calling on Chief Leke Abejide and telling all of the Yagba Federal Constituency’s persons that are here, please take this message home, that we want Leke back in APC”.
Similarly, the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila commended Rep. Abejide for his doggedness which he said kept him on track in his democratic journey and winning elections on a platform which he kept alive and running for long.
He said, “I keep saying people to people when I talk about him, that for a man to contest an election in a face-to-face state where elections are fierce, and to contest under a platform of a relatively unknown party, ADC, and to win back-to-back-to-back, it tells you who that man is. Not when he won the first time, he came on a sole ADC carry to the house. Four years later, he went back to Kogi. He brought somebody else from the ADC.
“Honorable Abejide, I know you to be a committed party man. I know you to be a fighter. I know you to be someone who does not like to be cheated. So please, my charge to you is to stay in that same ADC. Fight. Fight them. Scare them. Hold on to your party, ADC. Do not allow them. We like what you are doing. Continue.
“Don’t let the former governor say that you should come and join the APC. No, no, no, no, no, no. Stay in the ADC. Win your election in the ADC as you will. Bring Gombe. We will support him. Bring him. Do the right thing. You are a fighter. Do the right thing. Nobody can come and take your party away from you. A party that you’ve been to for years with your sweat and your money and everything. No. Continue. Good luck in court”.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Legislators Serving and Former Forum has tasked all stakeholders especially the Judiciary on projection of Nigeria’s democracy.
The forum gave the charge on Tuesday at a news conference in Abuja while reacting to comments allegedly made by some top politicians and public officials that do not advance Nigeria’s democratic processes.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, Ms Nnenna Ukeje, a member of the 8th House of Representatives said that as patriots, the forum is committed to national interest and have defended democracy on many fora.
According to her, their intervention stands for the defence, stability, protection of democracy and preservation of our beloved country.
“We must reiterate that there is a clear difference between the tyranny of the majority and true democracy; between illiberal civil rule and a system grounded in democratic contestation; between constitutional governance and authoritarian subjugation.
“Nigeria must remain firmly on the side of democracy, resisting overreach by any arm of government is not subversion; it is a constitutionally given right and duty.
“To the judiciary, we reiterate: this is a defining moment; the tipping point, the nation’s eleventh for survival.
“Your independence must remain sacrosanct. Your integrity must be unquestionable and your patriotism unapologetic. Your decision will determine the drift,” she said.
Ukeje said that Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by the very forces that once fought to build it saying that the preservation of democratic space is not a favour to the opposition but a duty owed to the nation.
The former lawmaker said that Nigerians must be very vigilant as democracy does not defend itself but survives only when citizens, institutions, and leaders commit to its protection.
“In conclusion, Nigeria must remain a nation governed by law, not expediency; by robust institutions, not strong individuals; and by the will of the people, not predetermined outcomes.
“Let the judiciary act without interference. Let opposition thrive without intimidation. Let citizens participate without fear.
“Nigeria’s democracy belongs to its people, and it must be protected and defended by all.
We remain committed to defending it through all lawful means; through the courts, through civic engagement, and at the ballot box,” she said. (NAN)
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…..Oyedele elevated to Finance Minister
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the membership of the Federal Executive Council.
According to a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.
Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy.
He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy. Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.
Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma (PhD .) has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.
The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.
The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”
Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.
The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”
Stand Firm and Keep Fighting, Bello, Gbajabiamila Rally Abejide
Forum of legislators calls on Judiciary to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy
Tinubu approves minor cabinet reshuffle, sacks Edun, Dangiwa
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