Rep. Solomon Bob (PDP-Rivers) has advised his colleague, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP-Imo), to desist from commenting on the political crisis in Rivers.
Bob, representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, gave the advice at a news conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
The lawmaker said that Ugochinyere’s comments were not helping in calming frayed nerves but further escalating the crisis in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ugochinyere, with a background in law, is a first time member of the house elected on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to represent Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo
Ugochinyere, who is the spokesperson for the Concern Opposition Lawmakers in the house, had organised series of recorded and live news conferences on the crisis between Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers and the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesome Wike.
The lawmaker has also been very outspoken on the many court cases and decisions on the crisis in the Rivers House of Assembly as well as the crisis bedevilling PDP in the state and at national level, taking sides with Fubara.
Bob, however, said that Ugochinyere did not have the locus standi to comment on issues in Rivers, saying it was un-parliamentary for a member to comment on issues in another state or constituency when the matter was not to the floor of the house for debate.
According to him, Ugochinyere is not from Rivers and neither does he speak for the PDP in Rivers; hence he should desist from commenting on Rivers politics in the public space.
He claimed that the attitude and conducts of Ugochinyere should, at least, earn him a suspension from the house.
Bob also alleged that Ugochinyere was being protected by some legislators, threatening to expose all those behind him if they did not desist.
He said that the Rivers caucus in the house had written to the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, on the mater, adding, however, that no action had been taken.
Bob urged Ugochinyere to focus and address the issues affecting Imo, such as insecurity and Monday’s sit-at-home, among others, before meddling in the affairs of Rivers.
He said that Ugochinyere should also focus on the job of law-making, oversight functions and representation, the primary mandate of the National Assembly, for which he was elected. (NAN)