It would be recalled that Akpabio had earlier told a House committee, on Monday that 60% of the contracts awarded by the NDDC was given to lawmakers.
However, while addressing the House on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila, who has been a federal lawmaker since 2003, said he had never received any NDDC contract before.
He, therefore, has issued the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, 48 hours to provide names of lawmakers who received the said NDDC contracts or face severe sanction.
This claim had inarguably, generated controversy and questioned the integrity of the committee set up to probe the alleged N81bn fraud perpetrated by the NDDC.
The Speaker said, “This is my 5th term here and I have never for once collected anything from the National Assembly and I know I speak for a great majority of members of this House, a great majority. And because of that, I will take this allegation and accusation very seriously.
“And I will give the minister (Akpabio) 24 to 48 hours. Clerk, I want you to back this up with a letter from this House. Give the minister 24 to 48 hours to publish the names, the contracts so given, the dates because obviously these things will be documented; unveil the companies of the 60 per cent projects that were given to members of the National Assembly.”
Meanwhile, Gbajabiamila’s ultimatum received applause from a large section of the lawmakers.
