Nigerian lawmaker to face probe over solidarity visit to Governor Fubara

A member of the Federal House of Representatives Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere, has been referred to the Committee on Ethics of lower chambers for probe over his solidarity visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Penpushing reports that the federal lawmaker known to be one of the vocal supporters of Fubara in the House is facing the probe after leading about 50 lawmakers to attend the first anniversary of the governor in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The resolution of the lower chamber to investigate Ugochinyere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Imo State, followed a point of privilege raised by Hon Yusuf Gagdi of All Progressives Congress (APC), Plateau State

Penpushing further reports that Gagdi, in his claim cited Order Six Rule One, explaining that his privilege as a member of the House was breached as the lawmaker misinterpreted the visit of some lawmakers to Fubara.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmaker argued that Ugochinyere issued a statement to journalists on the visit, giving the impression that the lawmakers represented the House, pointing out that the lawmakers were members of the Local Content Committee and were in Rivers State for an overnight assignment but used the opportunity to pay a courtesy visit to the Governor.

‘One of our colleagues issued a press statement that the delegation was in River State for a solidarity visit to the governor. It is okay to do a solidarity visit but not for members to be misrepresented. I urge the House to look for this publication and interact with Ikenga’, he said.

Penpushing also reports that while Gagdi was moving the motion, some of his colleagues who attended the meeting attempted to raise a point of order, but the Deputy Speaker, Hon Ben Kalu, who presided over the session, shut down the lawmakers.

The Deputy Speaker insisted that points of privilege are not to be debated, while his ruling generated loud murmurs from the chamber, but one of the lawmakers, Hon Mark Esset of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Akwa-Ibom state, succeeded in speaking, affirming that he was part of the visit adding that the lawmakers did not give the impression of representing the House.

“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’, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker said.

Penpushing reports that the Deputy Speaker, however, shut Essiet down, and equally scolded the lawmakers for turning the chamber into a marketplace, and subsequently, referred Ikenga to the Committee on Ethics for investigation.

The record, however, has it that Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now a Minister have been at loggerhead over supremacy battle, while the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House are divided between the two warring sides.

Penpushing further reports that Ugochinyere in the last couple of months has been issuing statements in support of Governor Fubara and claimed to control a group of 60 lawmakers that he christened G60.

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