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NNPCL Probe: Ugochinyere denies offering $1.7m to Speaker Abbas, pledges allegiance to House leadership
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has on Wednesday, debunked allegations that he gave $1.7 million to Speaker Tajudeen Abass and House leadership, to secure the committee chairmanship position.
Ugochinyere, who is currently the House Committee Chairman on Downstream Petroleum, described the allegation as “a low-quality unbelievable Holywood movie crafted in panicking room of scared oil thieves and their paid agents, who are on a failed mission to smear the House and its working committees, in a bid to divert attention from the long overdue need for efficiency and transparency in the nation’s oil sector that has accounted for the economic crisis and fx challenges in the land”.
In a statement issued in Abuja by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Njesi, Ugochinyere said that it was only “a stupid and childish mind” that would believe that he gave the Speaker 1.7m dollars, not to mention issuing a threat to the Speaker, who, up till today is his close confidant held in high esteem, including his able deputy, Benjamin Kalu, and the entire team driving the people’s house .
According to him, it is a false and “nonsensical belated attempt by individuals with vested interests in oil and gas who want to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry, by attempting to smear the House and scare committed Members away from asking the right questions”.
He said, “the whole noise and kindergarten manufactured fake stories will not stop the commitment to seek transparency and efficiency. Those who also want to build on the failed propaganda to divide the House and cause crisis by planting fake news should know that their plot have backfired and we know who they are now”.
The Lawmaker expressed optimism that, the attempt to drag the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, distinguished Members, and his name into “a Hollywood fiction story is dead on arrival, and all those who aided the stories in one way or another will face the wrath of the law, including other smear campaigns which I will seek for damages for”.
Expressing support for the decision of the House leadership to reconstitute the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, Ugochinyere said he trusted the Speaker’s decision will help to get to the root of the rot with no escape route for those already scared, even when the investigation has not started, adding that if setting up an ad-hoc committee to carry out the investigation was better, then he agrees with him and will support the committee to excel 100 percent.
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 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 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 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.”
President Bola Tinubu has asked the senate to approve a constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish state police across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture.
The request was contained in a letter dated June 15, 2026, and read on the floor of the senate on Tuesday by Godswill Akpabio.
In the correspondence, Tinubu said the proposed Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) State Police Bill, 2026, seeks to amend the 1999 constitution to provide a legal framework for the creation of state police services.
The president said the bill is designed to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges by introducing a dual policing structure that would allow both federal and state policing systems to operate within a constitutional framework.
According to him, the proposal builds on previous legislative efforts by both chambers of the national assembly and contains additional safeguards to ensure effective implementation.
“This bill builds on the significant work already done in this regard by the House of Representatives and the Senate, and incorporates additional safeguards to ensure that the creation of a dual policing structure to address our nation’s evolving national security challenges, will be achieved quickly and effectively to the benefit of all Nigerians,” Tinubu said.
The president described the proposed legislation as a key component of his administration’s broader plan to reform Nigeria’s security system and improve the protection of lives and property.
“The proposed legislation is a critical component of our administration’s strategy to reorganize Nigeria’s security architecture to better protect our citizens, and I’m confident that the Senate will act quickly to consider and pass this bill,” he added.
Read Also: Amnesty International Demands Immediate Release of Omoyele Sowore, Condemns Detention
Tinubu urged lawmakers to give the proposal expeditious consideration.
Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio referred the bill to the senate committee on constitution review for further legislative action.
The committee was directed to report back to the chamber on the next legislative day.
The Nigerian Senate has fixed Wednesday for the passage of the state police bill.
The lawmakers had cut short their recess to consider the bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution and decentralise Nigeria’s policing system in response to worsening security challenges
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday transmitted an executive version of the bill to the Senate through a letter dated June 15, 2026.
The proposed legislation seeks to establish a dual policing system in which federal and state police forces operate alongside each other.
At the plenary on Tuesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the proposal as a key step towards restructuring Nigeria’s security framework.
The proposed legislation was immediately referred to the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, which is expected to present its report for consideration and voting.
Akpabio called on senators to be present for the exercise, stressing the need for broad support to secure its passage.
“Every senator should endeavor to come tomorrow to be part of this exercise.
“We are going to be live tomorrow and your constituents will be seeing what you are doing,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has presented Certificates of Return to candidates who emerged victorious in the by-elections conducted on June 20, 2026, across Rivers, Enugu, Nasarawa, Ondo and Kano States.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the electoral commission.
According to INEC, the certificates were presented on behalf of the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, by the Supervising National Commissioner for Rivers State, Mrs May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking during the presentation, Agbamuche-Mbu congratulated the successful candidates and urged them to prioritise the interests of the people they were elected to represent.
“The most important responsibility before you is to represent your constituents well,” Agbamuche-Mbu said.
The National Commissioner also reminded the winners of the expectations placed on them by voters and encouraged them to serve with diligence and commitment.
INEC further disclosed that Certificates of Return would also be presented to winners of other recently concluded elections, including the Zuru State Constituency election in Kebbi State and the governorship election in Ekiti State.
INEC said the presentation of the certificates followed the conclusion of the bye-elections conducted on June 20, 2026.
Tinubu Seeks Constitutional Backing For State Police, Writes Senate
State Police: Senate will formally pass Bill on Wednesday
INEC formally confirms winners of by-elections, issues certificates of return
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