Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has fired back at Imo lawmaker Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu. Olayinka’s blistering response came after Ugochinyere’s remarks on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, where the House of Representatives member accused Wike and other G5 governors of conspiring to destroy the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), labelling Wike a “political hushpuppi.”
In a fiery statement issued on Saturday, Olayinka rejected Ugochinyere’s claims, dismissing him as an “aberration” in the PDP and questioning his loyalty to the party.
“This is what happens when people who joined the PDP yesterday are awarded party tickets the next day,” Olayinka said, criticizing Ugochinyere’s sudden rise within the party despite his relatively recent affiliation.
A Critique of Ugochinyere’s Political Integrity
Olayinka went further to mock Ugochinyere’s character, describing the lawmaker as an opportunist more concerned with political hustle than the needs of his constituents. “If PDP had functioned properly, would a ‘political hushpuppi’ like Ugochinyere have gotten the party’s ticket while still in another party?” Olayinka questioned.
He insinuated that Ugochinyere’s rise was a result of PDP’s internal dysfunction, allowing newcomers like him to gain power with little loyalty to the party’s core values.
Olayinka also claimed that Ugochinyere, despite being a representative for PDP, still held onto his membership in the Action Peoples Party (APP), using it to leverage political influence in Rivers State. “Even till today, as a PDP Rep member, Ugochinyere is still holding on to his Action Peoples Party (APP), using it to cash-out in Rivers State,” he said.
Mocking Ugochinyere’s Political Title
One of the most damning criticisms came when Olayinka ridiculed Ugochinyere for allegedly fabricating a political title to further his own ambitions. He accused Ugochinyere of impersonating a “spokesperson” for opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly, a position he claimed never existed.
“When he got to the House of Representatives and there was no title under which his political hustle would continue, he awarded himself a non-existing title of ‘Spokesperson of Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in the 10th National Assembly,’” Olayinka said. “But the questions are, is CUPP a political party with members in the House of Representatives? Where and when was CUPP registered?”
Olayinka contended that Ugochinyere, knowing that he was breaking National Assembly rules, still opted to call himself the spokesperson for opposition lawmakers as a means of keeping his political career afloat.
An Alleged Scheme to ‘Cash Out’
Olayinka’s remarks went further, accusing Ugochinyere of using his self-appointed title to gain financial benefits in Rivers State. “If he is not using his former party, APP, to cash-out, he will be using his amorphous opposition lawmakers to chop from inside the Rivers,” Olayinka alleged.
The statement painted Ugochinyere as a figure driven by personal gain rather than public service, with Olayinka questioning his intentions and priorities. He likened Ugochinyere’s political maneuvers to those of a hustler—focused more on securing wealth and influence than representing his constituents or maintaining integrity within the PDP.
Political Allegiances and Loyalty in PDP
Olayinka’s response highlights the deep political rift within the PDP, with factions still vying for control. Ugochinyere’s accusations that Wike and other G5 governors were plotting to destroy the party appear to have struck a nerve, leading to Olayinka’s swift and scathing retort.
The controversy between the two figures also brings attention to the internal struggles within the PDP, especially regarding loyalty and the roles of various members. Olayinka’s criticism of Ugochinyere’s lack of loyalty to the PDP points to ongoing frustrations within the party, particularly over how new members have gained power despite their limited track record.