Wike labels prominent politician a “Political Hushpuppi”

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at House of Representatives member Ikenga Ugochinyere, calling him a “political hushpuppi.”

Olayinka’s scathing remarks followed Ugochinyere’s recent allegations against Wike and the G5 Governors, accusing them of working to destabilize the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

During an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on November 22, Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State, criticized Wike and his allies for allegedly plotting against the party. In response, Olayinka released a statement condemning Ugochinyere’s comments and questioning his credibility within the PDP.

“This is the outcome when individuals who barely joined the PDP are granted its ticket overnight,” Olayinka said. “If the PDP functioned properly, characters like Ugochinyere would never have emerged as flagbearers. He joined the party in 2022 and still clings to his old party, the Action Peoples Party (APP), using it for financial gains, especially in Rivers State.”

Olayinka also mocked Ugochinyere’s self-styled title as the “Spokesperson of Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in the 10th National Assembly,” calling it a non-existent role. He accused Ugochinyere of creating such positions to sustain what he described as a “political hustle.”

“In saner climes, someone like Ugochinyere would have been prosecuted for impersonation,” Olayinka added. “CUPP is not a political party with registered members in the House, yet he uses it to claim authority and further his financial interests.”

Olayinka further alleged that Ugochinyere has been exploiting his former party, APP, and his supposed opposition spokesperson role to “cash out” in Rivers State.

The PDP aide described Ugochinyere’s criticisms of Wike as a strategy to appease his benefactors, accusing him of political opportunism. He called for reforms within the PDP to prevent such situations, emphasizing the need to uphold integrity in the party’s processes.