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.”