The Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has refuted allegations that he gave $1.7 million to the House leadership to secure the position.
He described the allegations as an attempt to divert attention from endemic corruption in the oil industry.
The lawmaker also expressed support for the Speaker’s decision to dissolve the joint committee investigating challenges in the oil sector, stressing that he trusted the Speaker’s judgment.
He reiterated his commitment to transparency and reform, vowing to push for accountability in the oil industry.
Ugochinyere hailed the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for their inclusive leadership style, which, according to him, has maintained stability in the House.
He dismissed the allegations as a “smear campaign” by corrupt elements seeking to escape justice, reaffirming his focus on fighting for good governance, undeterred by the attacks and allegations against him and the House leadership.
Ugochinyere said, “The allegation is a belated nonsensical, childish, and unprofessional fiction work aimed at creating division in the House to aid some criminal elements that are long overdue for the prison to think they can escape justice which is impossible as the demand for transparency and reform is a task that will be pushed.
“Only a childish mind will believe the poorly scripted work that Speaker was given 1.7m dollars for something that those not worth a penny. We will not dignify the cheap attempt to distract and divert attention from the House investigation on the corruption from our Oil industry.”
I didn’t bribe to secure House Committee chair – Ugochinyere
