Ugochinyere might face suspension for politicising an oversight function by members of the House of Representatives in Rivers state.
The House of Representatives has referred Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere ( PDP Imo), to the Committee on Ethics for probe over his ‘solidarity visit’ to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The investigation stemmed from a “point of privilege” raised by Rep. Yusuf Gagdi (APC Plateau), who argued that Ugochinyere misrepresented the nature of the lawmakers’ visit to Governor Fubara. Last month,
OrderPaper recalls that Ugochinyere led over 50 members of the House to attend the first anniversary and thanksgiving service of Fubara in Port Harcourt.
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Gagdi, citing order six rule one, said his privilege as a member of the House was breached as the lawmaker misinterpreted the visit of some lawmakers to Governor Fubara as he clarified that the lawmakers were in Rivers for an oversight function related to local content but took the opportunity to visit Fubara on a personal capacity.
“One of our colleagues issued a press statement that the delegation was in Rivers state for a solidarity visit to the governor,” Gagdi said. “It is okay to do a solidarity visit, but not for members to be misrepresented.”
The Deputy Speaker of the House, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC Abia), who presided over the session, referred the matter to the ethics and privileges committee without allowing further debate, despite attempts from some lawmakers present at the visit to raise their points.
This decision led to notable dissent in the chamber, with some members expressing that the issue was too trivial for such action.
Rep. Mark Esset (PDP Akwa Ibom), voiced his opinion against the motion, stating, “In my opinion, I don’t see anything here. The same paper publication said some members of the house. There is nothing here. There is freedom of association.” However, he was ruled out of order by Kalu.
The controversy adds another layer to the ongoing political dynamics within the PDP, where Ugochinyere has accused prominent party figures, including acting national chairman Umar Damagum and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, of undermining the party.
Fubara and Wike are reportedly in a dispute over control of the political structure in Rivers State, intensifying the implications of Ugochinyere’s actions and statements.
