The member representing Ikwuano State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Boniface Isienyi, has denied allegations that members of the House, particularly the Special Budget Review Committee, demanded gratification from Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, during the review of the 2026 budget.
The lawmaker, who is a member of the Budget Special Review Committee, described the allegation as “lies from the pit of hell” aimed at tarnishing the image of the 8th Assembly and the state government.
In an interview with newsmen on Monday, Isienyi said he read the report in one of the online publications alleging that he personally confronted an MDA over failure to offer gratification to members of the House.
“It is against the ethics of the House of Assembly. Gratification in what aspect? Gratification on what? Is it personal salary gratification or what? So I am surprised,” he stated.
He further stated that since the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, no commissioner screened by the House was compelled to pay money in the form of gratification.
“It is on record and can be verified that since its inception, no commissioner was screened and anybody collected anything from such persons. Nobody has been screened in the Abia 8th Assembly and was under compulsion under any means to bring money,” he said.
According to him, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, and Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie Meregini, had warned members of various committees at the beginning of the Assembly that nothing should be exchanged.
He challenged anyone with proof of extortion, demand for gratification among other things to come forward, adding that he was ready to resign if indicted in any way.
He commended the Deputy Speaker for insisting that the interface with MDAs must be fully covered by cameramen, saying such a proactive decision was meant to ensure transparency in the entire process.
“If there is such a pool of allegations, I will resign from being a member of the House of Assembly. Every genuine conversation of that committee was captured live. The footages are there,” he said.
The lawmaker accused those behind the allegation of seeking to tarnish the image of the government, the 8th Assembly, and his personal reputation.
“This allegation is coming from the pit of hell. The person wants to tarnish my image, the image of the 8th Assembly, and the image of this government,” he added.
On the assessment of MDAs by the review committee, he said he could not speak on that as the committee has a Chairman and Secretary, and that a report would be presented to the House at the appropriate time.
