The Civil Rights Congress of Nigeria (CRCN) has called for the immediate suspension of Hon. Afam Victor Ogene from the House of Representatives, accusing him of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign through the Minority Caucus that has sown confusion, undermined institutional harmony, and distracted from national priorities.
In a statement signed by its President, Dr. Gabriel Idoko, the CRCN described Ogene’s actions as a desperate attempt to gain cheap popularity and revive his faltering political career following his recent defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) amid internal party turmoil.
Dr. Idoko stated: “Hon. Afam Victor Ogene’s actions in leading a so-called ad-hoc committee outside formal parliamentary channels represent a clear abuse of his position as a legislator.
“This parallel probe has no binding authority yet is being paraded as official scrutiny, eroding public confidence in the House.”
He continued: “By publicly alleging ‘three different versions’ of the tax laws and calling for deeper digs into unspecified perpetrators, Ogene has engaged in reckless speculation that borders on defamation and legislative grandstanding, rather than constructive oversight.”
The CRCN emphasised that such behaviour violates the decorum expected of lawmakers and sets a dangerous precedent for factional overreach within the National Assembly.
Dr. Idoko remarked: “The Minority Caucus, under Ogene’s leadership, has prioritized partisan point-scoring over unity and due process. Their interim report, released amid ongoing official mechanisms, only fuels unnecessary division and public misinformation on a resolved legislative matter.”
He added: “We view this as an abuse of legislative privilege, where a member exploits his platform to challenge established procedures and indirectly impugn the integrity of fellow lawmakers and institutions without substantiated evidence presented through proper channels.”
The group highlighted that Ogene’s repeated media engagements, including interviews amplifying unverified claims of alterations and executive interference, have contributed to national discord at a time when focus should be on implementation and economic stability.
Dr. Idoko asserted: “A lawmaker who repeatedly disregards parliamentary norms, bypasses plenary authority, and promotes narratives that pit branches of government against each other forfeits the right to continue in service without consequence.”
The CRCN praised the House of Representatives for its timely release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the enacted tax laws, which has effectively clarified the authentic versions, aligned official records, and upheld legislative transparency.
Dr. Idoko remarked: “The House deserves commendation for promptly issuing the Certified True Copies and addressing the initial concerns through proper institutional channels.
“This decisive step has restored clarity and protected the integrity of the legislative process. Yet in the face of this resolution, Ogene persists in amplifying unverified allegations and pushing a parallel narrative, actions that appear designed solely for personal visibility rather than national good.”
The CRCN argued that suspension remains the necessary disciplinary response to deter such disruptive conduct and safeguard the House from being exploited for individual political resuscitation.
Dr. Idoko warned: “Allowing Hon. Ogene to continue unchecked would embolden similar tactics by others, turning the legislature into a stage for self-promotion and factional battles instead of focused law-making.”
The group urged the House leadership, ethics committee, and all relevant bodies to expedite disciplinary proceedings against Ogene, stressing that ethical standards must be enforced impartially across party lines.
