IDEATO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE THANKS NDDC FOR EYE-OPENING EXPOSURE, ACCUSES IKENGA UGOCHINYERE OF THREE YEARS OF LIES AND PROPAGANDA

 PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

IDEATO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE THANKS NDDC FOR EYE-OPENING EXPOSURE, ACCUSES IKENGA UGOCHINYERE OF THREE YEARS OF LIES AND PROPAGANDA

The Ideato Progressive Alliance (IPA), a forum of academics, captains of industry, political leaders, entrepreneurs and activists, expresses its profound appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the eye-opening exposure concerning the attribution of development projects in Ideato Federal Constituency. We commend the Commission for drawing attention to the need for transparency, accountability and honesty in reporting public investments. For three years, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has represented Ideato North and South Federal Constituency with what we consider a disturbing combination of lies, political noise and propaganda. Rather than give the people a transparent account of his stewardship, he has continued to project an image of achievement that does not withstand scrutiny. We insist that the people of Ideato deserve facts, not political theatrics, and genuine development, not propaganda.

The height of this misrepresentation is Ugochinyere's claim to the Orlu-Umuchima-Akokwa Road, including the bridge and erosion control works, which were executed by the APC-led administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma. We will not allow the achievements of one administration to be appropriated by another individual for political publicity. Governor Uzodimma's administration deserves recognition for the infrastructure it has delivered, and the people of Ideato have a right to know who actually provided the projects in their communities. We therefore condemn every attempt to obscure the identity of the government responsible for these works. Public projects are not personal property, and no lawmaker has the right to rewrite the record of public investment to manufacture political relevance.

Our investigations have also raised serious questions about approximately ₦1.3 billion inserted into the 2024 federal budget for the Umuchima erosion project by Ugochinyere. This requires a clear, documented explanation, particularly as Governor Uzodimma's administration has already executed the erosion control project. Ugochinyere must provide the relevant records and account for the allocation. The people deserve answers, not another round of political claims and counterclaims.

IPA declares that Ideato will no longer tolerate a regime of lies, noise and empty promises. In 2023, Ugochinyere made at least 100 campaign promises to the electorate. We challenge him to present a comprehensive account of those promises and demonstrate, with verifiable evidence, which ones he has fulfilled. From the coming days, we will begin outlining those campaign commitments one after another, comparing the promises made with the available evidence of performance. We will not be distracted by publicity stunts or intimidated by political noise. Our responsibility is to the people of Ideato, who deserve representation measured by results, accountability and integrity. We intend to ensure that every promise made to our people is brought into the public domain and subjected to interrogation. 

We make it clear that Ideato will not reward failure with another mandate. Our constituency must move beyond propaganda and embrace accountable leadership that delivers measurable benefits to the people. We call on Ugochinyere to stop taking credit for projects delivered by other governments and institutions, account for his campaign promises and provide clear answers to the questions surrounding the reported ₦1.3 billion budget provision. Once again, we thank NDDC for bringing the issue of proper project attribution to public attention and urge every relevant institution to ensure that its interventions are accurately documented and acknowledged. 

IPA will continue to demand truth, transparency and responsible representation. Ideato belongs to its people, and its future cannot be built on lies, noise and empty promises. We will not re-elect failure.

Signed:

Chief Ferdinand Nwosu

(Oputa-Ihie-Adi of Ideato)

President, Ideato Progressive Alliance (IPA)