It’s childish, Rep denies securing committee chairmanship with $1.7m bribe

The member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has denied claims of bribing the Speaker, Tajudeen Abass, with $1.7 million to be appointed a committee chairman.

Ugochinyere, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, made his position known in a statement on Wednesday by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Njesi, in Abuja.

The lawmaker described the allegation as “childish,” saying it was aimed to divide the House.

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 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.”

The statement, however, lauded the Speaker and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, on their “all-inclusive administration style that has kept the 10th House stable in the last year. ”

He said 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.”

The Imo State lawmaker noted that the “disjointed attacks and smear campaign” don’t bother him as he remains “focused” in the fight for good governance.

The statement added 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.”