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Reps caucus warns Ugochinyere Imo to stop dishonourable conducts over Rivers crisis
The Rivers State House of Representatives caucus has warned the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, to stir clear of the political crisis in the state and stop what it described as his dishonourable rantings.
The caucus also called on the leadership of the Green Chamber to call Ugochinyere to order as he is not from River State and therefore does not understand the situation there.
The caucus was reacting to his statement on the crisis that has pitched 27 lawmakers of the Rivers House of Assembly and 23 former Local Government Chairmen against the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Ugochinyere had at a press conference on June 18, 2025, in Abuja, called on the governor to charge the 23 former council bosses for treason, for staying back in their offices despite the expiration of their three-year tenure.
In a statement issued on Friday, the leader of the caucus, Dumnamene Dekor, accused Ugonchinyere of offering himself to be used as a “veritable tool,” in a matter he has little or no knowledge about.
Dekor, who represents Gokanna/Khana Federal Constituency in Rivers state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party also accused Ugochinyere of peddling half-truths and outright falsehood, adding that his utterances on the crisis are an assault on the ongoing legal processes aimed at resolving the crisis.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the Rivers caucus in the House of Representatives has been drawn to yet another unfortunate and misleading press briefing by Ikenga Ugochinyere on Tuesday 18th, on the ongoing disagreement between the governor of Rivers State and the House of Assembly, and latterly, Local Government Chairmen.
“We hereby publicly call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to take urgent steps to discipline and rein in this errant member who is gradually bringing disrepute to the House and soliciting the support of some gullible members without disclosing fully to them his pecuniary interest.
“Since the disagreement, Ugochinyere has thrown caution, decorum, and responsible conduct – expected of the high office he now occupies – to the wind. He has, instead, put himself forward as a veritable tool and an agent provocateur for a cause he knows nothing about and for no other reason except to feather his nest.
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“His latest sponsored intervention is laden with all the ingredients that characterised all his previous outings: blackmail, half-truths, misinformation and disinformation, and malicious propaganda.
“In every instance, his prejudicial media statements also constitute a thoughtless assault on due process and ongoing judicial processes aimed at resolving the disagreement in Rivers. As our colleague who sits in the House of Representatives today courtesy of the judgment of a court, that is beyond embarrassing.
“As a caucus, we consider Ugochinyere an insignificant twerp in the social space and, particularly, in the grand scheme of Rivers politics. To begin with, he is not from Rivers State. So his political value is unquestionably non-existent, except to those who are naive enough to fall for his cheap gimmicks.”
The caucus attributed the lawmaker’s foray into Rivers politics to what it called “Exuberant infantilism”, adding that with time, he would focus on the things that matter.
It added, “We had put Ugochinyere’s deplorable behaviour down to exuberant infantilism, which sometimes affects some new members, and had hoped that his apparent lack of understanding of his duties as a federal lawmaker would diminish as he grows into his new position.
“We were wrong. One year into his term as a lawmaker, Hon Ugochinyere has rather doubled down on infamy, dishonour, and disreputable behaviour details of which we have at our disposal.
“The current situation in Rivers State does not concern Ugochinyere in any way because he is from Imo State, a state that is grappling with myriad political and social issues of its own in respect of which Ugochinyere cannot find his voice. The disagreement in Rivers has never been brought to the floor of the House of Representatives to warrant other members’ intervention in a debate.
“Unarguably, Ugochinyere’s actions (in the guise of representation) outside of the House impinge on the privileges of members of this caucus, the integrity of the House itself, and constitute a reckless violation of the constitution vide Sections 49 and 72.”
Dirisu Yakubu
Dirisu, has over 12 years experience covering political parties, National Assembly, sports, transportation, etc, and currently works with The PUNCH
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Strong indications has emerged that the use of a generator in a poorly ventilated environment may have caused the death of some students of the University of Nigeria, Nssuka.
The suspicion emerged after a survivor of the incident disclosed that a generator was operating outside the corridor of the apartment where they gathered, while the doors and windows remained shut.
According to the 24-year-old survivor, an Art Education student, about 10 people attended the party organised by his friend, David, to celebrate the completion of his final examinations.
The gathering reportedly started around 11:30 a.m. at the host’s residence in the Hilltop area of Nsukka, with participants sharing alcoholic drinks and playing Truth or Dare.
Recounting his experience, the survivor said he suddenly lost consciousness after helping one of the participants who had vomited and returning to clean the floor.
He disclosed that his legs had become stiff and he could no longer walk before eventually passing out. The student said he regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., only to discover that his friends were lying motionless on the floor.
“When I regained consciousness at about 9 p.m., I heard someone saying that the host was shaking. I woke up and managed to look into the parlour, where I saw the host and other participants lying on the floor,” he recounted.
He said he subsequently contacted friends for assistance, before one of them eventually helped convey the affected students to Bishop Shanahan Hospital and other medical facilities in Nsukka.
The survivor further explained that the apartment was poorly ventilated, with the doors and windows shut, while a generator was running outside in the corridor. A fan was also operating inside the room.
Nigerian singer, Darlington Okoye popularly known as Speed Darlington, has apologised to Grammy-winning musician, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, asking him to withdraw the charges against him and promising to stop making comments about his sexuality.
Speed Darlington made the appeal in a video posted on his Instagram page on Thursday, in which he expressed regret over the pain and embarrassment he might have caused the singer.
“This video is for Burna Boy. Burna, this is an apology video. I apologise for any pain that I have caused you. Any shame that I have caused you,” he said.
The singer admitted that he was wrong to assume that everyone had the same temperament, adding that he wanted an end to their disagreement.
“I made the mistake of thinking that everybody vibrates at the same frequency. That’s wrong of me. I apologise, Burna Boy,” he added.
He further pledged to refrain from making both direct and indirect comments about Burna Boy’s sexuality, making the withdrawal of the charges a condition for his promise.
“I give you my word that if you withdraw all charges and let everything die, I give you my word that I will never make any direct comment regarding your sexuality. “Even indirect comment. I will no longer try sustain. I give you my word. Let peace reign,” he said.
Speed Darlington also promised not to mention the singer’s name again if the legal dispute was resolved.
“I promise I will never use my mouth to mention your name,” he added.
Yinusa Tanko, former national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, says he experienced a betrayal of trust and loyalty in Peter Obi’s camp, which led to his exit from the movement.
Tanko spoke on Thursday shortly after his unveiling as the coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential campaign council.
Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDP), appointed Tanko as national coordinator of the Obidient Movement in September 2024, following a consensus to zone the position to the north.
He was later redeployed as Obi’s political adviser (north), a position he held until October 30, when he resigned.
However, Tanko said he never wanted to leave Obi’s camp, insisting that he was pushed out rather than choosing to exit the movement.
Tanko said although he appreciated the opportunity to serve Obi, he could not remain in a political group where his contributions were no longer valued.
“Well, you know, as you move along in politics, there may be a time when your group does not want you, does not need you or does not appreciate what you do,” he said.
“You don’t stay where you are being tolerated; you go where you are appreciated.
“As far as I’m concerned, I appreciate all the work I have done, and I appreciate him for giving me the opportunity. But the only thing I have suffered in that particular movement is betrayal of trust and betrayal of loyalty.”
Tanko said he served the former Anambra governor with diligence, honesty and integrity, adding that he still held him in high regard despite the circumstances surrounding his departure.
“Everybody knows that I have served with diligence, determination, honesty and integrity. That was how I served Peter Obi, and I continue to respect him,” he said.
“But now, since they don’t want me, people who appreciate me have picked me from the dustbin and made me a bride.”
Asked whether Obi would be pleased to see him in another political party, Tanko said he could not determine what was on the former governor’s mind.
“You cannot say what is on his mind; only he can speak for himself,” he said.
He added that his new political associates had recognised his contributions to nation-building and offered him another opportunity to serve.
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