.Alleged politicisation of oversight functions
.Accuse him of statement issued in bad taste
Say he made the House look like taking position in political matters.
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Representatives may suspend the Chairman, Committee on Petroleum DownStream, Honourable Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, over alleged politicisation of oversight function in Rivers State.
In this vein, Honourable Yusuf Gagdi (APC-Plateau), while moving a motion of personal explanation at the plenary in Abuja, yesterday told the House that his privilege as a member of the House had been bridged.
NAN reports that Gagdi said
some media publications quoted Ugochinyere as saying that about 50 members of the House paid a solidarity visit to River State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, during their visit to the state.
He added that “Such a statement issued by Hon Ugochinyere was in a bad taste and made the House look like it was taking a position in political matters”.
According to him, the report presented “the story as though the members visited Fubara on behalf of the House, whereas, they were in Rivers for oversight function and decided to greet the Governor”.
Gagdi, also said that after the visit, Ugochinyere issued a statement which was published in the media, adding that this made their visit look like they were a delegation of the House to visit the governor.
For his part, Honourable Mark Essien (PDP-Akwa-Ibom) however, said that the matter was irrelevant and should not be entertained as there were more matters of national importance to be addressed.
In his ruling, the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary said that the leadership of the House would look into the report.
Kalu added that if necessary, the matter would be referred to the Privilege and Ethics Committee for further investigation.
Some dissatisfied members indicated to speak to the issue but Kalu denied them the opportunity, saying that matters of personal explanation were not opened to debate.
AljazirahNigeria reports that Ugochinyere, a PDP federal lawmaker who represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State, is also the Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP and also spokes person of the Concerned 60 PDP House members .
It would be recalled that Governor Fubara and his predecessor now FCT Minister,, Nyesom Wike, have been embroiled in political crisis that has spread to the state House of Assembly, commissioners among other appointees.
