Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the Nigerian House of Representatives, has refuted allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the chairmanship of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Njesi, Ugochinyere described the allegation as “false and nonsensical belated attempts by individuals with vested interests who want to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry.”
Ugochinyere dismissed the notion that he induced the Speaker as a product of a “childish mind.” He said, “Only an ill-informed and childish mind would believe that I induced the Speaker to head the committee.” He further added that the attempt to drag Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and his name into a “Hollywood fiction story” was dead on arrival. “Those who aided the stories one way or another, including smear campaigns, will face the wrath of the law,” he stated.
He expressed confidence in the House leadership’s decision to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector. “If setting up an ad-hoc committee to carry out the investigation is better, then I agree with the decision,” Ugochinyere said.
Passing a vote of confidence on the House leadership, Ugochinyere 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 year. Their approach to governance has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of inclusivity within the parliament.”
He maintained his commitment to fighting for good governance and was unfazed by the “disjointed attacks and smear campaign against our Hon. Speaker, and the House leadership.” “I remain focused in my fight for good governance,” He said.
