The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives has disowned statements made by Hon. Dumnamene Deekor, representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, calling for disciplinary action against Hon. Ugochinyere Ikenga, the coordinator of the G-60 lawmakers in the green chamber.
The caucus, led by Rep. Awaji-Inombek D. Abiante, issued a press statement made available to THE WHISTLER on Friday, expressing their dismay at Deekor’s call for disciplinary action against Ikenga after the latter recently led some lawmakers on a visit to Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State.
While acknowledging the right to individual opinions, the caucus firmly rejected Deekor’s attempt to speak on their behalf, stating that he has never been elected to represent the group’s collective voice.
The lawmakers stressed that leadership within the Rivers State Caucus is traditionally based on seniority, a precedent that Deekor, as a second-term lawmaker, does not meet.
The caucus provided context on Deekor’s political history, noting that he lost his seat in 2015 at the Court of Appeal and was only properly elected in 2019, followed by his recent re-election in 2023.
This background, according to the lawmakers, disqualifies Deekor from assuming a leadership role within the caucus.
Abiante urged the public to disregard Deekor’s statement, describing it as “vituperations of a gord being.”
The caucus reaffirmed that the National Assembly operates differently from “village councils” where members contribute based on their personal convictions.
The Rivers rep caucus further expressed pride in Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere’s “unquenchable commitment in defence of democracy.”
They praised his performance, stating that he has “proven himself in the act of quality representation” in the eyes of right-thinking Nigerians.
‘You’re Not Our Leader’ — Rivers Lawmakers Slam Dum Deekor Over ‘Unauthorised Statement’ Against Ikenga Ugochinyere is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
