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Tag: Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere

  • Ugochinyere dumps PDP for APP

    Ugochinyere dumps PDP for APP

    • Lawmaker to Wike: stop pulling down those who assisted you

    The lawmaker representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Action People’s Party (APP).

    Hundreds of APP supporters yesterday converged on St. Peter’s Catholic Church playground in Akokwa, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, to welcome Ugochinyere.

    The lawmaker said he left the PDP because of a protracted court case and irreconcilable differences with the party’s national leadership.

    “Those who have been following the story will know that when we set out to contest the election in the House of Representatives under the PDP, we started facing problems from the day we declared our intention to run. Few weeks before the primary election, they disqualified us from participating in the election. We went to court and got our victory, and we got back to the ballot,” he said.

    “During the three-man delegate congress, they ran away with the delegates’ list. We got a court order to restrain them until they returned with the original list. We went to the primary and won. We went to the High Court and then to the Supreme Court, and we got a judgment in our favour. The journey has been very tough, filled with so much pain, just because the people want us and because we refused to bow to individuals who want to equate themselves to institutions.

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    “We faced assassination attempts, false allegations of murder, rape, terrorism, arson, kidnapping, and over 28 trumped-up charges filed against us from Owerri. That is why we are working with our friends in the congress to ensure that those behind these iniquities in Imo are captured and tried…

    “When we thought all these things were over, our former party concocted an expulsion against us, and from those documents they forged against us from Port Harcourt, they went to the High Court to file a case against us to remove us from Parliament.”

    “Now that we have survived these ordeals in the last three to four years, I find it very insulting, as the only PDP lawmaker in Imo State, that the party does nothing while they wash their dirty linen in Port Harcourt. Our party never supported us, not even with a statement. Our billboards were pulled down, and our members were arrested for no reason.

    “So, because of all these, we have resolved to find a way out of these problems. We have decided to start from a new beginning, where we can build a new political structure where hard work is rewarded with electoral victory, instead of joining already established parties.

    “It is on that path, and because of the irreconcilable differences with the national leadership of the PDP, which are practically impossible for any progress, that I have decided to voluntarily depart from the party.”

    Ugochinyere warned FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to stop pulling down the party that made him what he is today.

    “You are going politically crazy. Look at your children as they grow up. What legacy do you want to leave behind? Who wronged you? The PDP helped you become a local government chairman, Chief of Staff, governor, and minister. You contested a primary for a presidential candidate.

    Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal formed an alliance with (former Vice President) Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, realising you are more dangerous, which you have now proved,” he said.

    The lawmaker noted that the former Rivers State governor had issues with those who had helped him achieve greatness through politics.

    “Senator Azutam Mbata, who dusted you; you have an issue with him. You have issues with (former Rivers State Governor)  Peter Odili and his wife, who gave you your first step; Rotimi Amaechi, Andy Uba, (former President) Goodluck Jonathan, Ali Modu Sheriff, Uche Secondus, Emeka Ihedioha, current Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and you will have issues with President Tinubu and his family when you are no longer a minister.”

    He thanked President Tinubu for releasing money in the budget for the completion of ongoing projects in his consistency.

  • Hon. Ikenga is a man of unimpeachable, says Amadi

    Hon. Ikenga is a man of unimpeachable, says Amadi

    Dr. Chima Amadi, a renowned scholar and transparency advocate, paid a landmark visit to the Representative of Ideato Federal Constituency, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, in his hometown of Akokwa, Ideato South LGA, Imo State.

    The December event drew an impressive crowd of over 10,000 people who gathered to hear Dr. Amadi commend Ikenga for his steadfast leadership and integrity.

    Describing Ikenga as a “strong pillar of support” and a symbol of sincerity in a challenging political landscape, Dr. Amadi expressed his admiration for the lawmaker’s dedication to his constituents.

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    He also lauded the people of Ideato for their unwavering loyalty to Ikenga, particularly during critical moments, emphasizing their commitment to the ideals of good governance and progress.

    “Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere is a man of unimpeachable character, who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the well-being of our people,” Dr. Amadi said. “His sincerity and integrity are qualities that we should all emulate, and I am proud to stand with him in solidarity.”

    Dr. Amadi also donated ₦50 million to support the rebuilding of destroyed properties during the invasion of the lawmaker’s home shortly before the 2023 elections.

    This gesture was met with widespread applause and appreciation from the crowd, who saw it as a testament to Dr. Amadi’s dedication to the well-being of the community.

  • JUST IN: PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over alleged anti-party activities

    JUST IN: PDP expels Reps member Ugochinyere over alleged anti-party activities

    Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo state and spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), has been expelled from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.

    The expulsion, communicated in a letter dated December 5, 2024, from the Ideato local government area chapter of the party, cited gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities as reasons for the decision. 

    The letter, signed by LGA Chairman Hon. ThankGod Okeke and Secretary Onyebuchi Umeh, was addressed to the State Chairman.

    This move followed a report from the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November 27, 2024, which investigated allegations of misconduct against Ugochinyere under Section 57 (1-4) of the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended).

    Earlier, Ugochinyere had been suspended by his Umuopia/Umukegwu ward on October 14, 2024, after failing to attend a disciplinary hearing on October 5, 2024, despite multiple reminders.

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    The letter partly read: “Upon receipt of the report, the LGA Executive Committee of Ideato North met on the 5th December, 2024, and unanimously adopted the report of the disciplinary committee.

    “In light of this, Hon. Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwonu is hereby expelled from the party (PDP) with immediate effect and he ceases to be a member of the Peoples Democratic Party in Umuopia/Umukegwu ward of Ideato North LGA.”

    The party found Ugochinyere guilty of deliberate failure to attend meetings and participate in activities of the party for a long time in breach of Section 58 (1)e) of the PDP constitution 2017 as amended. 

    He was said to have engaged in unauthorised publicity of disputes within the party which contravenes section 58(1)i of the party’s constitution. Also, he formed parallel executive and organs of the party in his ward, and at the LGA and National levels which also breaches the party’s constitution. 

    Furthermore, he was found guilty of consistently making derogatory and provocative public statements against the party and some of its national leaders, an action that brought the party to public ridicule, the letter said.

    The state Publicity Secretary, Lancelot Obiaku confirmed the expulsion. “Yes it is true,” he said.

  • Don’t plunge Rivers into chaos, anarchy, Reps’ member tells River Assembly

    Don’t plunge Rivers into chaos, anarchy, Reps’ member tells River Assembly

    The spokesperson of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, on Friday, March 22, accused members of three Rivers State House of Assembly of trying to plunge the state into a major crisis by their actions.

    Ugochinyere said the attempt by the Rivers lawmakers to override the supposed veto of the state governor on a law that was never sent to him was unconstitutional and against the interest of the people of the state.

    The lawmaker said in a statement in Abuja that the purported amendment of sections of the local government laws of 2018 extending the tenure of elected local government chairmen in Rivers state by the House of Assembly was dead on arrival and cannot be implemented.

    He described the purported override of the governor’s veto by the House of Assembly just a few days after purportedly amending the same law was a recipe for chaos and breakdown of law and order in the state and stands condemned, alleging that the law was never sent to the Governor for his assent.

    He further said: “Assuming without conceding that the Rivers House of Assembly sent the law to the Governor, the Governor has 30 days within which to assent to the law or withhold his assent and it can only be at the expiration of the 30 days that the House of Assembly can adjudge that the Governor has withheld assent and not earlier.”

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    While describing the move as legislative rascality and a coup against democracy that is dead on arrival, saying “Illegally extending the tenure of Local Government Chairmen just a few weeks to the expiration of their tenure is an abuse of legislative process that cannot be enforced. It is the height of legislative rascality and a coup against democracy that is dead on arrival”.

    He said the plot was a deliberate invitation to anarchy and an inglorious attempt by the Rivers lawmakers to sabotage the Presidential Peace Accord.

    He said: “These Rivers Assemblymen are truly acting like people who do not hold the sacred mandate of the people. Otherwise, they should have known that this plot was a deliberate invitation to anarchy and an inglorious attempt to sabotage the Presidential Peace Accord. We hereby call on the President to call them to order to avert the total breakdown of law and order in the State.

    “About two months ago, the same group of members with questionable mandates purported to have amended the same Local Government Law. Less than two months later, they are purporting to amend it again. They are now clearly playing Ping-Pong with Rivers State laws.

     “How could the agenda of people who call themselves lawmakers in a state be to strip the Executive Governor of their state of all executive powers and they are comfortable with it? If they attach any value to the lives of the people of Rivers State, they would support the Governor of Rivers State to succeed, for the benefit of the people rather than support anything that will undermine him and set him up for failure including instigating anarchy.

    “Every reasonable and right-thinking citizen of Rivers state should rally around the Governor to ensure he succeeds and brings the dividends of democracy to the people.

    “The rate the Martin Amaehwule-led House of Assembly are moving and trying to ignite violence in Rivers State should tell the Police that these most likely the persons who set the House of Assembly Complex ablaze and because they got out of it, are now willing to set the entire state on fire”.