Minister for Niger Delta Affairs Godswill Akpabio says his allegations that lawmakers are awarded contracts are not directed at members of the Ninth National Assembly.
Akpabio made this known through a letter sent to the House of Representatives on Tuesday.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila had given the Minister a 48-hour ultimatum to publish names of lawmakers awarded contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission.
The Minister had alleged that 60% of NDDC contracts are awarded to lawmakers during an investigative hearing probing allegations of corruption in the NDDC.
In the letter sent to the lawmakers however, Akpabio changed his tone and said most lawmakers in the previous assemblies got contracts without their knowledge as it was handled by the chairmen of both committees.
Under the code enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is an offence for public officers to put themselves in a situation where they could have a conflict of interest.
Odunews.com had earlier reported that the House of Representatives said it would take legal action against the Minister for the allegation.
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