The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has disowned one of its members, Dumnamene Deekor as its leader and spokesman, saying he was never instructed to speak on behalf of the caucus.
In a statement Friday signed by the Leader, Rivers State Caucus in the House, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, the caucus dismissed a statement credited to the lawmaker calling for the sanction of the coordinator of the G-60 Lawmakers in the House, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere.
Dekor had 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.
But Abiante, a prominent political figure known for his alignment with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, said that the leadership of the Rivers caucus in the House has always been based on seniority, adding that a second term lawmaker cannot lead the caucus when there are more senior lawmakers.
He explained that as a lawmaker, Deekor is aware of the fact that every member of the House has the right to comment on any issue affecting any part of the country as they have sworn to defend the integrity of Nigeria.
“The Rivers State Caucus in the House of Representatives read with dismay a statement purportedly issued by the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Hon. Dumnamene Deekor calling for the discipline of the Coordinator of the G-60 Lawmakers in the Green Chamber, Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga over his position on vexed issues in the polity.
“While we wouldn’t stand against the popular phrase: ‘everybody is entitled to his opinion’, we refused to collectively accede to Dum Deekor’s self serving stands as he has never been elected by the Rivers State Caucus to speak on our behalf.
“It is a trite knowledge and backed by precedence that the Leadership of the Rivers State Caucus in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly are based on seniority. Hon Dum Deekor being a second term lawmaker cannot arrogate to himself the position of Caucus Leader in the midst of 3rd and 4th term lawmakers.
“For the records, Deekor was properly elected in 2019 haven lost his seat in 2015 at the Court of Appeal which barred him from being a member of the 8th Assembly. He was recently reelected in 2023 to serve his second term in the House. This alone disqualifies him to jostle for the leadership of the Rivers State Caucus.
“We call on the general public to discountance Dum Deekor’s statement as vituperations of a gord being.
“The National Assembly is not guided by Village Council’s rules and as such everyone reserves the right to make contributions inline with his innate conviction. Hon Ugochinyere has in the estimation of right thinking Nigerians proven himself in the act of quality representation.
Dum Dekor should realize that a member of the National Assembly is not only representing his immediate constituency, but also the entire Nigeria as he is entitled to make comments or speak on issues that threaten the peace of any part of the country for which we all took oath to preserve and protect .
“Dum that claims to be an experienced legislator should have known this fact and allowed Ugochinyere to speak on matters that affect any part of the country as a bonafide member of the National Assembly”.Reps caucus disown member asking house to sanction Ugochinyere.”
