Mrs. Judith Amaechi, wife of former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, has firmly denied recent claims by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, alleging that her NGO, the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI), receives ₦4 billion monthly from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Wike accused during a live television interview, insinuating that the funds were paid regularly to ESI under a long-standing arrangement with the interventionist agency.
He also hinted that ESI might be listed among entities indicted in the NDDC forensic audit report, which is yet to be released publicly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by her media aide, Dike Bekwele, Mrs Amaechi described Wike’s claims as “false, baseless, and mischievous.”
“The allegation that ESI receives ₦4 billion monthly from the NDDC is completely untrue,” the statement read.
Bekwele clarified that Empowerment Support Initiative is a non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 2011, focused on empowering women and youths in the Niger Delta through skills acquisition and entrepreneurship development.
“ESI’s relationship with the NDDC has always been formalized through signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to co-fund capacity-building initiatives. These partnerships are transparent, verifiable, and open to public scrutiny,” he said.
The statement went on to reject Wike’s insinuation about an indictment in the yet-to-be-published forensic audit report, labeling it a “figment of imagination.”
“Since inception, ESI has empowered thousands of beneficiaries. All its activities are documented and accountable,” it added.
Mrs Amaechi reaffirmed ESI’s commitment to transparency, good governance, and sustained collaboration with development partners to create lasting impacts for women and youths across the Niger Delta.
“We remain committed to driving sustainable livelihoods through skill-based empowerment and community development programs,” the statement concluded.