The member representing Ughelli North/Ughelli South/Udu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Francis E. Waive, has responded to allegations by former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, over the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Ovwian Bill. Waive maintained his account of the events surrounding the bill, saying the existence of a presidential approval for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, does not by itself disprove a private conversation between him and Omo-Agege.
According to Waive, the issue concerns an alleged conversation that took place after the FMC Ovwian Bill was introduced for first reading in the House of Representatives on July 21, 2020. Waive alleged that Omo-Agege had asked that the FMC bill be stepped down, arguing that it conflicted with his bill seeking the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun. He further claimed that while he supported Omo-Agege’s bill through the concurrence process in the House, Omo-Agege opposed efforts to advance the FMC Ovwian bill.
The lawmaker said if Omo-Agege’s position is that the conversation never took place, he should simply deny it and present evidence supporting his position rather than attack his person, family, faith or legislative record. Waive also rejected claims that his legislative achievements were dependent on any individual, stressing that he was elected by the people of Ughelli North, Ughelli South and Udu Federal Constituency.
Waive said his legislative record remained available for public scrutiny, describing claims that he had “nothing to show” after seven years as a political assertion rather than evidence. The lawmaker urged Omo-Agege to focus on the substantive issue surrounding the FMC Ovwian Bill and avoid personal attacks.
“The people of Delta Central are sophisticated enough to distinguish between a documentary record and an assertion about a private conversation. They deserve facts, not personal attacks,” the statement said. Waive’s media office signed off the statement on behalf of the lawmaker.
The dispute between Waive and Omo-Agege centers on the FMC Ovwian Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives in 2020. Omo-Agege had reportedly claimed that Waive blocked his efforts to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, while Waive insists that the two bills are separate and distinct.
The development has sparked a fresh controversy in Nigerian politics, with both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations. The issue remains a subject of debate, with many stakeholders calling for a resolution to the dispute.
Key points
- The dispute between Waive and Omo-Agege is over the FMC Ovwian Bill and a private conversation between the two lawmakers.
- Waive insists that his legislative achievements are not dependent on any individual.
- Omo-Agege had claimed that Waive blocked his efforts to establish the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun.
