Ugochinyere Denies Bribing Speaker To Chair House Committee

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, has debunked allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the chairmanship of the Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

Ugochinyere, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday by his chief of staff, Ernest Njesi, said that it was only an ill-informed and childish mind that could believe that he gave the speaker $1.7 million.

He said it was a false and nonsensical belated attempt by individuals with vested interests who want to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry.

The lawmaker said an attempt to drag the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen and his name into a Hollywood fiction story was dead on arrival, adding that all those who aided the stories in one way or another will face the wrath of the law, including other smear campaigns.

Passing a vote of confidence on the decision of the House leadership to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, Ugochinyere said he trusted the speaker’s decision, as he knows best, adding that if setting up an ad-hoc committee to carry out the investigation is better then he agrees with him.

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Ugochinyere said: “The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aid 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 the speaker was given 1.7m dollars for something that is not worth a penny. We will not dignify the cheap attempt to distract and divert attention from the House investigation of the corruption in our oil industry.

“Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas and the 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. They embraced a collaborative approach that transcends party lines, fostering an environment where all voices are heard and 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.”