Rivers Crisis: Rep Member Who Called for Sanction of Ikenga Ugochinyere Disowned by Colleagues

The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has officially disowned Hon. Dumnamene Deekor as its leader and spokesman, asserting that he was never authorized to speak on behalf of the caucus.

The statement, signed by Hon. Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante, the Leader of the Rivers State Caucus, dismissed Deekor’s recent call for sanctions against Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the coordinator of the G-60 Lawmakers in the House. The caucus emphasized that leadership within the group is determined by seniority, and as a second-term lawmaker, Deekor does not hold the seniority required to lead.

Abiante highlighted that every House member has the right to comment on issues affecting the country, underscoring the democratic principle that guides their roles. He also pointed out that Deekor, aware of these norms, should respect them.

“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,” Abiante stated.

“While we wouldn’t stand against the popular phrase, ‘everybody is entitled to his opinion,’ we refuse 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.”

Abiante further clarified that the caucus’s leadership is based on seniority, rendering Deekor, a second-term legislator, ineligible for the role. Deekor’s interrupted legislative career, having lost his seat in 2015 and only regaining it in 2019, further disqualifies him.

The caucus called on the public to disregard Deekor’s statements, describing them as personal vituperations. They affirmed that the National Assembly operates under principles that allow all members to speak on issues of national concern, reflecting their commitment to represent not only their constituencies but the entire nation.

“Hon. Ugochinyere has, in the estimation of right-thinking Nigerians, proven himself in the act of quality representation. Dum Deekor should realize that a member of the National Assembly is not only representing his immediate constituency but also the entire Nigeria, and is entitled to make comments or speak on issues that threaten the peace of any part of the country, for which we all took an oath to preserve and protect,” Abiante concluded.