A Member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State and House Committee Chairman on Downstream Petroleum, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere has denied allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the committee Chairman position.
Ugochinyere, in a statement issued by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Njesi, said that it’s only a stupid and childish mind that could believe that he gave the Speaker $1.7 million.
He said that, “it’s a false and nonsensical belated attempts by individuals with vested interests who wants to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry.”
The lawmaker further said the attempt to drag the Speaker and his name into a Hollywood fiction story was dead on arrival, adding that all those who aided the stories in one way or the other would face the wrath of the law including other smear campaigns.
While expressing support over the decision of the House leadership to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, he said he trusts the Speaker’s decision, adding that if setting up an ad-hoc committee to carry out the investigation was better, then he agrees with him.
“The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aide some criminal elements who are long overdue for prison to think they can escape justice which is impossible as the demand for transparency and reform is a task that will be pushed.
“Only a childish mind will believe the poorly scripted work that Speaker was given $1.7 million dollars for something that those not worth a penny. We will not dignify the cheap attempt to distract and divert attention from the House investigation on the corruption from our oil industry,” he added.
Ugochinyere further said, “Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s all-inclusive administration style has kept the 10th House stable in the last one year. Their approach to governance has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of inclusivity within the parliament. They embraced a collaborative approach that transcends party lines, fostering an environment where all voices are not only heard but also valued.
“So we are not bothered by the disjointed attacks and smear campaign against our Hon. Speaker, and the House leadership. These are efforts of unprofessional corrupt elements to pollute the media space in a desperate bid to seek cover from the inevitable that is coming. I remain focused in my fight for good governance.”
Also, the House of Representatives said at no time did the House leadership or anybody receive inducement for the appointment of any committee chairman.
According to a statement signed by the Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon Akin Rotimi, on Wednesday, the House said it was an assignment diligently executed by the Selection Committee of the House between June and July 2023, which has a member from each of the states of the federation.
On the recent dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas Investigation which was chaired by Ugochinyere, the House stressed that the leadership of the House reserves the right to disband/dissolve an ad hoc committee whenever the need arises and that the action taken by the House to dissolve it did not contravene any rule or any law of the land.
On the alleged rift between the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker regarding the dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee, the House said “the duo enjoys a robust and cordial relationship. The two Presiding Officers also have mutual respect for each other, and will not allow anything to come between them.”
Emmanuel Addeh, Sunday Aborisade and Juliet Akoje
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