BONDET.CO – Honorable Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, stands accused of deceiving Rivers State Governor Simon Lalong and embroiling the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in an escalating crisis both within the southern region and nationally.
A young faction affiliated with the PDP, known as the Coalition of PDP Youth Defenders (CPYD), brought forth this accusation in a statement released by their President.
Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed Salihu, scheduled for Thursday, May 15, 2025.
The organization stated that Ugochinyere’s “self-serving commentary” has exacerbated the issues within the PDP and added to the political unrest in Rivers State. This instability resulted in his suspension.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara along with his deputy and the final proclamation of a state of emergency President Bola Tinubu.
The CPYD claimed that the Imo federal legislator has turned into “a purveyor of confusion,” misleading the PDP leadership with deceptive statements and cunning arguments.
It is now clear that Hon. Ugochinyere has been instilling false hopes in Governor Fubara’s mind, leading him towards unnecessary conflict,” he stated. “As a result, Rivers State is currently under emergency governance, the PDP is struggling, and citizens are facing hardships—all due to an individual’s relentless pursuit of becoming the symbol of dissent.
Salihu stated that Ugochinyere played a crucial part in encouraging Fubara to challenge the party elders and national leaders. This included attempts made by the PDP Governors’ Forum to resolve the conflict between the governor and his former political mentor.
Nyesom Wike.
“When others advocated prudence and unity, it was Ugochinyere who continually urged Fubara to see himself as the emerging champion of opposition politics,” Salihu stated.
He provided the governor with perilous misinformation that resulted in systemic collapse and defiance of an accord made with Wike — an arrangement overseen by the president. Now that the president has intervened through an emergency decree, Ugochinyere has vanished without a trace.
Organization blames Ugochinyere for undermining PDP stability
The organization similarly alleged that Ugochinyere was collaborating with a select few individuals who oppose the party’s interests to disturb the forthcoming NEC gathering of the PDP set for May 27. They suggested this activity is being concealed behind the current dispute regarding the position of the interim National Secretary.
“This is the same Ugochinyere who previously asserted that he was defending party supremacy. Currently, however, he is challenging the party’s decisions and advocating for the ousting of leaders whose actions do not align with his wishes. His support for Setonji Koshoedo does not stem from a belief in proper procedures; rather, it presents an opportunity for him to create turmoil within the PDP as we approach the NEC meeting,” he stated.
Salihu mentioned that the CPYD is especially frustrated because the legislator persists in misleading both the public and the media regarding the situation around the submission of the PDP’s nominee for the gubernatorial race in Anambra. This is true even though INEC has clearly stated its stance on the matter.
“He questions why Ugochinyere discusses legality and recognition without mentioning that Senators Samuel Anyanwu and Ambassador Damagum both endorsed the submission of the PDP’s candidate for the Anambra election by signing it. If their signatures were accepted by INEC, how could Anyanwu have been removed?” he asked.
The group called on the PDP leadership to move decisively against Ugochinyere and others allegedly working to destabilise the party from within, adding that they must not be allowed to continue misrepresenting the will of PDP members across the country.
Salihu cautioned other PDP members against succumbing to the allure of following Ugochinyere’s “noisy yet vacuous” form of activism. He emphasized that the party stands on collaborative choices rather than individual fights fueled by self-interest and personal ambitions.
We should take lessons from rivers. The truth is that clamor and dissent do not equate to effective leadership. Fubara paid attention to Ugochinyere and now finds himself stripped of authority, losing both credibility and his right to govern. This is truly unfortunate, and such a scenario must be prevented.
The CPYD confirmed its allegiance to the PDP, adhering to the party’s constitution and the resolutions made by the National Working Committee.
The collective appealed to the party’s leadership to emphasize unity and discipline as the organization advances towards its upcoming NEC conference and future electoral events.