The House of Representatives was thrown into a rowdy session on Thursday, June 4, as the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, accused the signatures on a circulated list of opposition lawmakers purportedly endorsing Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader, were forged.
It was gathered that the controversy followed reports that 61 members of the Minority Caucus allegedly appended their signatures to a document nominating Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People’s Party, for the principal office.
Agbese’s name and signature were said to be on the list, a development he denied on the floor of the House.
The issue was compounded by a report from an online newspaper, Aljazirah, which alleged that each of the 61 lawmakers received $50,000 before signing the document.
Agbese Wants Motion of Privilege
Agbese, who rose on a motion of personal privilege, said the publication and the use of his name on the endorsement list had violated his privilege as a member of the House and that of the Minority Caucus.
He said his signature was forged and he did not sign any document nominating Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader.
“I saw yesterday on the internet a document with my name on it, allegedly nominating a member of this House for the position of minority leader,” he said.
Agbese said he had spoken with several lawmakers including Ugochinyere, but said the talks were not about endorsing anyone for the position of Minority Leader.
He said his dealings with Ugochinyere was in respect of the welfare of minority lawmakers and issues of constituency projects.
I had spoken and argued and visited many members of this house. One of the people I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our discussion was basically around the welfare of members of the minority.
“Number two was on the issue of the executive not adhering to issues to do with our constituency projects,” he said.
‘My Signature Was Faked’
Agbese said he did not give anyone the permission to put his name and signature on the list of nominations.
He said he hadn’t seen the individual who allegedly signed the document on his behalf in months.
“The person who signed this document, Honourable Seyi, I have not seen him since December 2025, so I am at a loss and I feel that my legislative privilege has been breached because this amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes which were not intended,” he said.
The legislator also denied receiving any money from anyone related to the alleged endorsement.
“I read on a social media blog that members were given so much money. “I did not get any amount of money from anybody,” he said.
Agbese said the allegation had raised concerns among his constituents who have been calling him for clarification.
“My constituents have been phoning me up. This isn’t the first time I’ve been named in an issue like this. “I don’t want to be involved, and I don’t want my name to be further besmirched as far as this is concerned because I have a right as a member of this House to have my privileges fully protected,” he added.
He said further that the matter had to do with his personal integrity and should be properly investigated by the House.
“This is me being honest. I mean, I never signed any document and I never received any amount of money and I will never do.
“I will bring the list to the House plus the link to the online report for this House to look into the matter,” he said.
House will act, speaker says
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, ruled that Agbese’s motion had been noted and assured that the House would take appropriate action when the time comes.
However, shortly after the ruling, Ugochinyere stood on a motion of personal explanation, arguing that he needed to respond to the allegations made against him on live broadcast.
He told the House that Agbese was not present at the meeting where he was elected by what he called an overwhelming majority of the Minority Caucus.
“But he said Agbese later came to his office to affix his signature on the document already signed by other members who supported his emergence.
“I shall produce evidence and witnesses to support my position. “I insist that there was no forgery.
Naija News learnt that the chamber became rowdy after Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere by saying that he never signed any document.
Several lawmakers jumped from their seats and got into a shouting match, and the Speaker repeatedly called for calm.
After a few minutes of disorder, Abbas reminded members that a meeting of the Minority Caucus had already been scheduled for 2pm, where the issue would be discussed at length.
A number of members, however, held up their hands to speak on the issue despite the Speaker’s intervention.
Rivers Lawmakers protest over Ugochinyere’s attempt
Solomon Bob, a member of the APC from Rivers State, cited House Rule 7(15) that only experienced members should hold principal offices.
Bob said Ugochinyere had spent less than three years in the House while opposition lawmakers had more than 10 years of legislative experience.
He stressed that Ugochinyere must not be allowed to emerge as the Minority Leader.
Another APC lawmaker from Rivers State, Dagomie Abiante, also spoke, saying that Ugochinyere’s explanation should not be allowed to enter the records of the House.
Abiante argued that the position canvassed by Ugochinyere should be ignored and expunged from the records.
But speaker Abbas said all inputs and grievances on the issue should be taken to the Minority Caucus meeting.
He then moved the House to the order of the day, bringing the heated exchange on the floor to an end.
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