Rt Hon Chinedum Orji 


A former  Commissioner in the Dr Okezie Ikpeazu administration on Saturday hit back at the immediate past Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chinedum Orji accusing him of making false allegations against former Commissioners.


The former Commissioner who spoke under condition of anonymity told dailyledger com.ng that he is speaking up to debunk the lies the former Speaker concocted  against former office holders.


"First, and foremost, it was the tradition to pay the sum of N1 million to the Abia State House of Assembly under the watch of Hon Chinedum Orji if you want to be cleared for any political appointment. I paid, so it is not a matter of hearsay and I went for the screening with my credentials.


"Secondly, the former Rt Hon Speaker is simply being clever by half when he said some people came for the screening with 'fake certificates', it's simply laughable. How did he determine the certificates were fake? Under the immediate past administration, it was a PDP affair and the fundamental qualification to getting appointment party loyalty and your intimacy with the 'ruling cartel'. The governor picks those he considers his loyalists and mandates the Majority Leader to get them screened and cleared...am not certain, but we hear the governor also settles the Chinedum Orji-led House of Assembly to clear his nominees. I give you the example of Eze Chikamnayo, he was having some beef with Ikuku, but the governor has to sort the House to clear him. Of course it would have been embarrassing for a PDP dominated House to reject the Governor's nominee, but I can tell you authoritatively that their palms were greased  


When the politician was reminded that the former Speaker had called out  those making the allegations, asking them to show evidence:  “Where is the evidence of such, those who are carrying that propaganda should show us evidence,was there any receipt for such, if you pay money now, you will be issued receipt”,  Hon Orji had queried.


"Hahahaha, my brother, he is just grandstanding. What will be the item of purchase on the receipt? And how will the House account for the money? It is meant for the members to share?  And you are simply told who to pay your money to and it is after your payment is confirmed that you can even be called to the floor of the House.  We all know - we and them know that it is money for 'kola'. Don't mind him, he is trying to be clever by half. Is there any instrument for such payment that it should be documented?", the former Commissioner fumed 


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji on Friday dismissed insinuations  that the House usually extort money from political appointment nominees sent to the House for screening and confirmation by the Executive arm of government.


The outgoing Speaker of the House of Assembly  made the clarification after the valedictory session of his   faction of the House of Assembly said such insinuations were unfounded.


He further alleged that many of the commissioners came for screening with fake certificates, but demurred from mentioning names.