By Chijindu Emeruwa
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State, Honorable Chidiebere Okoh, has cautioned fifth columnists against dragging the deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, into controversies trailing the recent dissolution of the adhoc joint Downstream and Midstream committee of the house co-chaired by Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere by the Speaker of the house of representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.
Recall that the adhoc joint committee was set up to investigate the importation of adulterated petroleum products, the non-availability of crude oil for domestic refineries, and other energy security issues.
The committee was disbanded following allegations of unruly behaviour by Hon. Ugochinyere, who is also the chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).
It was alleged that Mr Ikenga hijacked the committee, including singlehandedly signing documents that ought to have been jointly signed by both chairmen.
Earlier, Chidiebere Okoh, a former Abia State House of Assembly hopeful, in a statement on Thursday, maintained that the deputy speaker has continued to demonstrate unwavering commitment in service to the nation and should not be vilified for his position in reforming petroleum sector.
“The allegation of S10m bribe against Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu is an elaborate hoax, a joke taken too far. It is ludicrous, grossly spurious and provocative. It should be completely disregarded. There is no report of any indictment and nothing close to it was mentioned with regards to the committee, their leadership or membership.
“Needless to say that overtime, some fifth columnists and mischief makers have been working fruitlessly to smear Kalu and put him at a crossroads with the Speaker.
“These columnists are warned to desist from spewing reports and publications capable of provoking legal suits as we might be forced to take that route to maintain the hard earned integrity and reputation of our leaser, deputy speaker.
“Rt Honorable Benjamin Kalu is committed to working for the good of the legislature and the entire Nigeria by providing the needed leadership and guidelines meant to enable people-oriented legislations for good governance and the overall development of the country”,the party stalwart added.
While lauding leadership qualities of the deputy speaker of the house of representatives, Okoh cautioned fifth columnists and thier sponsors to refrain actions capable of causing disaffection among members of the national assembly in bid to score cheap political points.
