Fresh controversy has trailed the recent Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) empowerment programme held in Calabar after allegations emerged that the initiative meant for indigenes across Cross River State was allegedly cornered for beneficiaries from the Southern Senatorial District.
The programme, which featured skills acquisition training, distribution of mini-buses, tricycles and startup grants, was attended by the Senator representing Cross River South and Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong.
However, criticism erupted after internal NDDC memos circulating online showed that the programme was officially described as an empowerment initiative for “Indigenes of Cross River State” and not for a particular senatorial district.
One of the memos dated April 27, 2026, announced a “Skill Acquisition and Capacity Enhancement Program for Indigenes of Cross Rivers State” alongside the distribution of 150 Keke Napep and 200 mini-buses for Cross River indigenes.
A second memo dated April 30, 2026, later confirmed the rescheduling of the programme to May 9 in Calabar.
The controversy intensified after the Nigerian Youth Congress (NYC) Chairman in Cross River State, Comrade Francis Finian Offionor, openly accused Senator Ekpenyong of neglecting youths from the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
In a strongly worded statement, Offionor described the development as “disappointing, disgusting and disheartening,” alleging that the empowerment was diverted in favour of the South.
“The details contained in the memo issued by NDDC clearly indicates that, the empowerment is for the entire Cross River State indigenes, but you arm-twisted everything and cornered it to your people alone,” he said.
He further accused the Senator of promoting “tribalistic leadership” and abandoning youths from other parts of the state despite occupying a position meant to serve all Cross Riverians.
Offionor also mentioned NDDC Commissioner, Orok Duke, alleging that the interests of Cross River Central and Northern youths were repeatedly sidelined in empowerment opportunities.
Social media reactions have also continued to trail the exercise, with some residents questioning the transparency of the beneficiary selection process.
One resident alleged that the programme was being treated like a personal political empowerment scheme despite being funded through the NDDC.
“Out of the 100 minibuses and 50 keke assigned by NDDC for empowerment, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong seems to be turning the program into personal empowerment,” the resident claimed.
Meanwhile, Senator Ekpenyong, while speaking during the event, said the empowerment initiative was aimed at complementing the economic development efforts of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Bassey Otu.
“What we are doing is just to complement the efforts and the wonderful works of His Excellency, Bola Tinubu, and our dear Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu,” he said.
The Senator also stated that beneficiaries received skills training, startup grants and empowerment items including minibuses and tricycles sourced through federal agencies.
NDDC Director of Commercial and Industrialisation, Linda Okara, said the beneficiaries were selected through stakeholders from the grassroots to ensure fairness in the process.
Nigeria Startup News reports that despite the explanation, criticism surrounding the distribution has continued, especially from youths in Cross River Central and Northern Senatorial Districts who insist the programme failed to reflect the statewide scope stated in the official NDDC memos.
