Lawmaker to face reps’ ethics panel over ‘solidarity visit’ to Fubara

The house of representatives has moved to probe Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member representing the Ideato federal constituency of Imo state. 

During Thursday’s plenary, the house referred Ugochinyere to the committee on ethics and privileges over a recent Camaraderie visit to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, after a “point of privilege” moved by Yusuf Gagdi, a lawmaker from Plateau.

BACKGROUND 

Last month, Ugochinyere led over 50 members of the house of representatives to attend Fubara’s first year in office anniversary and thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers.

Ugochinyere, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is a supporter of Fubara and parades himself as the spokesperson for 60 opposition lawmakers.

The lawmaker had accused Umar Damagum, acting national chairman of the PDP, and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), of working against the party.

Fubara and Wike are locked in a rift over the control of the political structure in the state.

THE POINT OF PRIVILEGE 

While moving a point of order, Gagdi said his privilege as a member of the lower legislative chamber was breached because Ugochinyere mispresented the visit by the legislators to Fubara.

Gagdi said after the visit to Fubara, Ugochinyere issued a statement, creating the impression that the lawmakers represented the house of representatives.

Gagdi said the lawmakers are members of the house of representatives on local content and were in Rivers for an oversight function but used the opportunity to visit Fubara.

“One of our colleagues issued a press statement that the delegation was in River state for a solidarity visit to the governor,” he said.

“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.”

While speaking, some of the lawmakers who were among the team that visited the governor attempted to raise a point of order, but Ben Kalu, the deputy speaker, who presided over the session, overruled them.

Kalu said the “point of privilege” is not to be debated.

The deputy speaker’s comment provoked loud rumblings among lawmakers.

Mark Esset from Akwa Ibom said the matter was too trivial to warrant discussion on the floor of 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,” Esset said.

But he was ruled out of order by Kalu.

Kalu then referred the matter to the committee on ethics and privileges.