Ifeanyi Ibeh
The leadership of the House of Representatives has resolved to investigate allegations of misinformation by Plateau lawmaker, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, against Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and 39 other lawmakers who paid a solidarity visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The visit took place on June 2nd in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, to celebrate the first anniversary of Governor Fubara.
During the plenary on June 4, Rep. Gagdi, citing Order Six Rule One, claimed that his privilege as a member of the House was breached by the misrepresentation of the visit.
Gagdi alleged that Rep. Ugochinyere had issued a statement to the press implying that the lawmakers represented the House. He further stated that the lawmakers were members of the Local Content Committee on an overnight assignment but used the opportunity to visit the governor.
Countering Gagdi’s claim, Ugochinyere and 39 other lawmakers raised a point of order on June 11 regarding the alleged malicious and false publication instigated by Hon. Gagdi. Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, clarified to the House that the visit was a solidarity one and not an official House function.
Ugochinyere presented proof from various national dailies to substantiate his claim that they attended the thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt to celebrate Governor Fubara’s one year of transformational leadership. He also provided evidence that neither he nor the other lawmakers were members of the Local Content Committee as claimed by Gagdi.
Ugochinyere called for sanctions against Gagdi in line with House rules, stating: “Gagdi alleged that we went to Port Harcourt on oversight function as members of the Local Content Committee. If you go to page 38 of the directory of the membership of the Local Content Committee, we are not members of that committee. We did not go on any oversight function. A group of like-minds went on our own, not on behalf of the House, to a thanksgiving service in Port Harcourt to celebrate Governor Fubara’s one year of transformational leadership. This was published in several newspapers. Hon. Gagdi deliberately and maliciously spread falsehood on the floor of this parliament, committing contempt of parliament and misleading this parliament.”
Ugochinyere cited section 2 of the Legislative Privileges Act, which states that presenting false or fabricated documents with the intent to deceive is an offense punishable by imprisonment for 12 months and removal from the legislative house.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Abass Tajudeen, who presided over the session, assured the affected lawmakers that the House leadership would intervene and invite Gagdi to discuss the issue. The leadership’s commitment to addressing the matter underscores the importance of maintaining integrity and accountability within the House.
