Ikenga Ugochinyere, the Chairman of the House Committee on Downstream Petroleum, has firmly denied allegations that he paid $1.7 million to House leadership to secure his position. He described these claims as a distraction from the pervasive corruption within the oil industry and characterized them as a “smear campaign” orchestrated by corrupt individuals attempting to evade justice.
In his statement, Ugochinyere expressed his support for the Speaker’s decision to dissolve the joint committee investigating issues within the oil sector, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and reform. He criticized the allegations as “childish” and reiterated his dedication to addressing the challenges facing the petroleum sector in Nigeria. Ugochinyere’s response comes amid ongoing scrutiny and discussions regarding corruption in the oil industry.