Lawmaker Refutes Allegation of Bribing Speaker With $1.7m 

From Lateef Taiwo

A lawmaker representing Ideato North and South  Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere has debunked allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the committee Chairman position.

Ugochinyere is  currently the Chairman House of Representative Committee on Downstream Petroleum.

The federal lawmaker  in a statement issued on Wednesday, by his Chief of Staff Ernest Njesi, which was made available to Journalists in Abuja explained that It’s only a stupid and childish mind that can believe that he gave the Speaker 1.7m dollars to get his current position.

According to the statement: 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”.

Ugochinyere further informed that any attempt to drag the Speaker and his name into a Hollywood fiction story  is dead on arrival threatening that those who aided the stories  will face the wrath of the law.

The lawmaker equally used the opportunity to pass vote of confidence on the decision of the House leadership to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, maintaining that he trusts the Speaker’s decision on the matter.

Ugochinyere stated:, “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 over due 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.

According to him: “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 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.”