The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP has condemned the Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas-led recent move by the leadership of the House of Representatives to probe the nation’s Chief Opposition Spokesperson, Hon. Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, together with other members of the House as a result of their recent visit to the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The move is condemnable, and remains mind-boggling and inconceivable under a democratic dispensation.
In a statement issued by the CUPP’s
Media Committee, Chairman, Barrister Chukwudi Ezeobika and the former
National Legal Adviser, Inter Party Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC),.which was made available to CAPITAL POST in Abuja on Friday, they said, by referring these Honourable members to the Committee on Ethics for disciplinary action, the leadership of the House has clearly cast doubt on its integrity in the observance and or adherence to the laws which they enact/promulgate.
The statement said: “Relying on the point of order/privilege raised by Yusuf Gagdi of the All Progressives Congress, Plateau State to arrive at such decision is erroneous and grossly misleading.
“The House, by this very action, has impugned on the integrity and sacredness of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) especially Sections 39 and 40 which guarantee Freedom of Expression and the Press as well as that of Peaceful Assembly and Association respectively.
“We, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), hereby call on the leadership of the House of Representatives to, without further delays, retract its ongoing steps in the purported probe of these Honourable members by its Ethics Committee and not engage in any act that may violate the fundamental rights of its members or any member of the public”, the statement concluded.
