Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, yesterday dismissed reports making rounds on the allegation bordering on alleged inducement of $1.7 million he paid to the House Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to secure the chairmanship of the Committee.
Hon. Ugochinyere disclosed this via a statement, titled: Threat/Allegation of giving Speaker $1.7m a false nonsensical belated attempt to provoke, divert attention from endemic corruption in Oil industry Ugochinyere, issued by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Njesi.
While noting that its only a stupid and childish mind” can believe that he gave the Speaker 1.7 million dollars, he described the allegation as a false and nonsensical belated attempt by individuals with vested interests who wants to provoke and divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil and gas industry.
Hon. Ugochinyere observed that an attempt to drag the Speaker and his name into a Hollywood fiction story is dead-on-arrival, adding that all those who aided the stories in one way or the other will face the wrath of the law, including other smear campaigners.
While passing a ‘vote of confidence’ on the decision of the House leadership to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, Hon. Ugochinyere said he trusts the Speakers decision, saying he knows best, adding that if setting up an Ad-hoc Committee to carry out the investigation is better, then he agrees with him.
He further 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”.
He added that, “Only a childish mind will believe the poorly-scripted work that ckained that the Speaker was given $1.7m for something that those 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,. Benjamin Kalus 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, with intent 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.
