The House of Representatives approved the extension of the implementation period for the capital component of the 2025 budget, setting a new deadline of September 30, 2026, instead of June 30, 2026.

The decision was reportedly taken after considering a bill seeking to extend the life of the capital expenditure component of the budget.

The proposal was presented at plenary by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, who led the lawmakers in the debate on the general principles of the bill.

A lot of funds released to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies have not been fully utilised, the House said.

Lawmakers said the situation has been blamed on a host of problems, including delays in the procurement process, administrative problems and other hurdles to project implementation.

The extension is anticipated to grant government agencies additional time to continue and complete ongoing projects in various parts of the country.

It also aims to prevent critical infrastructure projects from remaining in limbo and to allow the clearance of outstanding financial obligations relating to approved projects.

The approval was made in an emergency sitting of the House of Representatives.

Earlier, a memo by the Acting Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Sidi, had notified members of the session.

The notice informed the lawmakers that the emergency plenary would be held at 11 a.m. in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.

The federal agencies responsible for carrying out capital projects under the 2025 budget now have an additional three months to spend allocated funds and advance projects still in progress before the new September deadline, thanks to the extension now approved.

The post Reps Pass Bill to Extend Capital Budget Implementation to September appeared first on TheNigerian.

House of Representatives to suspend plenary session until July 7, 2026

It was reported that the speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas made the announcement on Thursday.

The adjournment is to mark the end of the legislative year, he said, and give room for the legislators to review other constitutional amendment proposals which will be the first item they vote on after their recess.

He said the break would allow lawmakers to go back to their constituencies and meet with their constituents.

The House of Representatives on Thursday passed the State Police Bill after a decisive vote on the legislative proposal during plenary before the adjournment.

The bill was supported by 289 lawmakers, while four members voted against it, according to the chamber’s proceedings.

The development came as the House earlier ruled that voting on the bill should be done manually during consideration of important legislative items.

There were 290 members in the chamber for the day’s business of legislation.

One of the most closely-watched security reform proposals before the National Assembly is the bill that would create a state-level policing structure.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, earlier announced during the plenary the new Minority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives, Hon. Fred Agbedi from Bayelsa.

Just as the house was settling down for the day’s business, Speaker Tajudeen announced the new principal officers.

Also named is Sokoto State lawmaker, Abdusamad Dasuki, who will be Deputy Minority Leader. Mansur Manu Soro of Bauchi State has been appointed Minority Chief Whip.

They include Fred Agbedi (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP), Mansur Manu (Allied Peoples Movement, APM) and Abdusamad Dasuki (African Democratic Congress, ADC).

The post House of Reps Adjourns Plenary Until July appeared first on TheNigerian.

There was a mild drama at the National Assembly on Thursday as opposition members of the House of Representatives insisted on the declaration of Fred Agbedi as the Minority Leader of the House.

The lawmakers who held a meeting at the lobby said the plenary scheduled for today would not hold unless Agbedi was declared Minority Leader.

In a trending video, the lawmakers were seen chanting “no announcement, no sitting.”

The House is preparing to vote on major constitutional amendments, including the long-anticipated State Police, it was reported.

The protesting members were identified as the G-60 opposition caucus in the House.

Members of the group led by Ikenga Imo-Ugochinyere have endorsed the candidate of Bayelsa State, Fred Agbedi for the position of Minority Leader and Abdusammad Dasuki for the position of Deputy Minority Leader, representing Kebbe-Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State.

The legislators stormed plenary Thursday, calling on the House leadership to address the minority leadership position, which they said would delay plenary proceedings if not addressed.

It would be recalled that the race for emergence of a new Minority Leader of the House had taken different turns in recent weeks following the resignation of Kingsley Chinda from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ikenga Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, had declared interest to the position of Minority Leader of the House, but his bid suffered constant setbacks.

But a peace deal between the G-60 group and the House leadership resulted in Thursday’s demand that Agbedi be named the new Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The post “No Announcement, No Sitting” – Opposition Lawmakers Demand Swearing-In of Fred Agbedi as Minority Leader appeared first on TheNigerian.

On Thursday, June 11, 2026, the House of Representatives will vote on thirty-seven bills to amend the Constitution.

As reported earlier, lawmakers will also vote today on the bill to establish State Police in Nigeria.

The bills are classified as electoral reform bills, judicial reform bills, security and policing bills, local government bills, legislature bills and traditional institution bills.

Here is the full list of constitutional amendment bills that the House of Representatives is to deliberate in its plenary.

ELECTORAL REFORMS (Bills 1-3)

1. Bill NO. 1: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDACY IN PRESIDENTIAL, GOVERNORSHIP, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, STATE HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS ELECTIONS; AND FOR RELATED MATTER, 2025 → Enables independent candidates with verified signatures (10% of registered voters from 2/3 of relevant areas); INEC/SIEC verifies signatures; 50% fee waiver for women candidates.

2. Bill NO. 2: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO MAKE PROVISIONS FOR CRITERIA FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS AND ADDITIONAL POWERS FOR THE STATE INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION; AND FOR OTHER MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH, 2025 → Introduces non-partisanship/integrity/age criteria for SIEC members → Enables SIEC to make rules independently (no need for Governor approval) → Expands SIEC functions (voter education, campaign monitoring, party primaries, referendums, etc.)

3. Bill NO. 3: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999, TO ESTABLISH AND EMPOWER THE ELECTORAL OFFENCES COMMISSION TO PROVIDE FOR THE INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION OF ELECTORAL OFFENCES; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Establishes the Electoral Offences Commission as a federal executive body, with first-line charge funding; details composition, qualifications, and powers (to be prescribed by Act).

JUDICIAL REFORMS (bills 4-6)
4. Bill NO. 4: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO RELIEVE THE SUPREME COURT OF SOME OF ITS BURDENS, REPOSITION IT AS A COURT OF POLICY AND ENSURE THE TIMELY DISPOSAL OF ELECTION PETITIONS; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Leave required for most Supreme Court appeals (except presidential/vice-presidential election matters).

5. Bill NO. 5: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE REGULATION OF THE JURISDICTION OF THE SUPREME COURT AND THE COURT OF APPEAL; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Clarifies Chief Justice as Head of Judiciary; mandates 360-day disposal of appeals to Supreme Court.

6. BILL NO. 6: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO EMPOWER JUDGES ELEVATED TO HIGHER COURTS TO DETERMINE PART-HEARD CRIMINAL CASES PENDING BEFORE THEM PRIOR TO THEIR ELEVATION; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Empowers elevated judges of the Federal High Court to conclude part-heard criminal cases (prosecution closed) within 6 months (vacation excluded).

SECURITY AND POLICING (Bills 7-8)
7. Bill NO. 7: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF STATE POLICE; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS (SIXTH ALTERATION) 2026 → Substitute the wordings “Nigeria Police Force” with “Police” in the relevant sections to allow for State Police.

8. Bill NO. 8: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERATION; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Places funding for the Armed Forces on first-line charge (like INEC, National Assembly, Judiciary).
LOCAL GOVERNMENT (Bills 9–17)
9. Bill NO. 9: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCILS AS A TIER OF GOVERNMENT; AND FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH, 2025 → Creates Local Governments as a third tier; revises federalism and legislative powers accordingly.

10. Bill NO. 10: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT, INDEPENDENCE AND FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE AUDITORS-GENERAL FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY AREA COUNCILS… 2025
→ Establishes independent State Auditors-General for Local Governments/Area Councils.

18. Bill NO. 18: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR CITIZENSHIP RIGHTS TO SPOUSES; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Gender neutral spousal citizenship (5 years residency).

19. Bill NO. 19: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT… 2025 → Provides for citizenship by investment to be prescribed by the National Assembly.

20. Bill NO. 20: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR FURTHER SPECIAL SEATS FOR WOMEN IN THE SENATE, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND STATE HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY… 2025
→ Groups states into geo-political zones. → Creates special (temporary) women seats by electoral college.

LEGISLATURE (Bills 21-25)
21. BILL NO. 21: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO ESTABLISH THE BUREAUCRACY OF LEGISLATION IN THE CONSTITUTION; AND FOR CONNECTED PURPOSES, 2025 → Makes Clerk head of Legislative Service in National Assembly and State Houses.

23. BILL NO. 23: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE THE PERIOD WITHIN WHICH THE APPROPRIATION BILL SHALL BE LAID… 2025
estimates of appropriations to be submitted at least 60 days before the end of the financial year.

23. Bill NO. 23: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE INAUGURATION OF NEW MEMBERS FOLLOWING THE INAUGURATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY… 2025
→ Members sworn in after inauguration (with Certificate of Return).

24. Bill NO. 24 A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION, 1999 TO PROVIDE THE PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL OF PRESIDING OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY OF A STATE; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Introduces procedural protections for removal of State House of Assembly Speakers/Deputy Speakers.

25. Bill NO. 25: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO REMOVE THE EXECUTIVE ARM OF GOVERNMENT’S POWERS OF MAKING LAWS FOR TRANSITIONAL PURPOSES: AND FOR RELATED MATTER, 2025 → Removes executive powers to make laws for transitional purposes in compliance with the constitution.
HUMAN RIGHTS / DEVOTION OF POWERS / FISCAL / INSTITUTIONS /

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS (bills 26-37)
26. BILL NO. 26: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE INCLUSION OF TOURISM AND TOURISM-RELATED MATTERS ON THE CONCURRENT LEGISLATIVE LIST… 2025 → Moves tourism to Concurrent List.

27. Bill NO. 27: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO MAKE PROVISION FOR SPECIAL PROTECTION FOR CHILDREN; AND FOR CONNECTED PURPOSES, 2025 → Introduces provision on best interest of the child, protection from violence/abuse, access to justice.

28. Bill NO. 28: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO FURTHER DEFINE ACTS THAT CONSTITUTE TORTURE, INHUMAN OR DEGRADING TREATMENT… 2025 → Explicitly includes public parade of arrested suspects as torture/degrading treatment.

29. Bill NO. 29: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROTECT THE RIGHT OF AN UNBORN CHILD BEING CARRIED BY A PREGNANT WOMAN SENTENCED TO DEATH… 2025 → A pregnant woman sentenced to death will be given life imprisonment instead.

30. Bill NO. 30: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE RIGHT TO A CLEAN, SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT… 2025
→ Right to life. Includes right to clean/safe/healthy environment.

31. Bill NO. 31: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO REQUIRE THAT ALL GOVERNMENT STATUTORY CORPORATIONS… SUBMIT ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT TO THE AUDITOR GENERAL… 2025
→ All agencies to submit audited financial statements within 90-180 days.

32. BILL NO. 32: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF REPORTS OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL… 2025 → Requires public disclosure of Auditor-General reports within 90 days.

33. Bill NO. 33: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF THE MEMBERS OF THE FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION… 2025 → Provides for one representative per state + FCT on the Federal Civil Service Commission.

34. BILL NO. 34: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE THAT EACH LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN EACH STATE SHALL HAVE NOT LESS THAN ONE MEMBER REPRESENTING THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY… 2025
Provides for at least one House of Assembly member per Local Government (max members increased to 44).

35. Bill NO. 35: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO SEPARATE THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FROM THAT OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR ON MATTERS OF QUALIFICATION OR DISQUALIFICATION… 2025
→ Governor appoints replacement deputy, does not affect election of governor.

36. BILL NO. 36 A BILL FOR AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE FOR COUNCIL OF TRADITIONAL RULERS IN NIGERIA; AND FOR RELATED MATTERS, 2025 → Creates State Council of Traditional Rulers as a state executive body.

37. BILL NO. 37: A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ALTER THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA, 1999 TO PROVIDE A STABLE AND STATUTORY SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR THE TRADITIONAL INSTITUTION IN NIGERIA… 2025 → Requires at least 5% of Local Government funds to be allocated to Traditional Councils (via state law).

The post House of Reps Vote on 37 Constitutional Amendment Bills (Full List) appeared first on TheNigerian.

The Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Bishop Philip Agbese, has called on constituents to submit their views and recommendations on the proposed Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria.
In a statement issued ahead of Thursday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives, Agbese described the consultation as a critical step towards ensuring that the position of the constituency is reflected in his vote on the bill.
According to the lawmaker, the National Assembly is scheduled to vote on the State Police proposal amid growing concerns over security challenges across the country.
He noted that the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force are currently overstretched due to the increasing security demands nationwide, making the consideration of State Police an important national conversation.
“The House of Representatives is voting today on the Constitution Alteration Bill for the establishment of State Police. Given the prevailing security challenges across the country, the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force are currently overstretched,” Agbese stated.
He explained that the State Police initiative is being proposed as an additional layer of security architecture aimed at strengthening local security response, improving intelligence gathering, and deepening the country’s federal structure while incorporating necessary safeguards against abuse.
The federal lawmaker emphasised that he remains committed to participatory representation and democratic consultation, stressing that the opinions of the people he represents would guide his decision on the floor of the House.
Agbese therefore urged all constituents to submit their feedback, views, and recommendations before the stipulated deadline of 10:00 a.m., assuring them that all submissions would be carefully aggregated and considered.
He added that the collective position of the constituency would serve as a guide in determining his vote during the plenary deliberations on the constitutional amendment bill.
The consultation has generated interest across the constituency, with many residents expected to contribute their perspectives on what could become a significant reform in Nigeria’s security framework.

The post Agbese Seeks Constituents’ Input On State Police Bill Ahead Of House Vote appeared first on TheNigerian.

The House of Representatives has chosen Thursday, 11th June, as the date for voting on a constitutional amendment bill aimed at creating State Police in Nigeria.

Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, made the disclosure while speaking to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

All lawmakers were charged to be present at Thursday’s plenary to participate in the vote.

The lawmaker said the move is among measures to tackle the growing insecurity in the country. Kalu told the press briefing that the House had decided to give priority to the issue of state police over other bills.

He said the House has directed all members now out of Abuja for oversight to suspend such and return to the parliament on Thursday for the voting procedure.

The House bill on State Police is sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and 14 other House members.

Remember that last Thursday the Presidency had said that considerable progress had been made towards the establishment of state police in Nigeria.

The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, said constitutional amendments necessary for the implementation of state police were expected soon.

Gbajabiamila spoke after the Presidency convened a consultative meeting on state police at the State House, Abuja.

Gbajabiamila, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that discussions on the state police framework started several months ago, following a directive by President Tinubu.

He said the process had now come to the stage of thinking about the constitutional amendments needed.

The post House of Reps Fixes Date to Vote on State Police Creation Bill appeared first on TheNigerian.

A House of Representatives hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency, David Ayuba Dumwe has dragged the Federal High Court Lafia to contest the alleged emergence of Beauty Sudar Aliyu as the party’s consensus candidate for the 2027 general elections.

In suit number FHC/LF/CS/9/2026, Dumwe is seeking a judicial intervention over what he called an unlawful declaration of a candidate without due consultation and compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The second and third defendants are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Beauty Sudar Aliyu respectively.

The plaintiff says in court documents that the PDP declared Aliyu as its consensus candidate without his consent as an aspirant and without a valid primary election for the constituency.

According to Dumwe, the move was allegedly in violation of the recognized democratic processes and the pertinent clauses pertaining to the nomination of candidates for public offices.

Thus the aspirant is praying that the court determines the legality of the purported consensus arrangement and the party’s nomination process for the federal constituency seat.

He said that every aspirant looking for an elective position under a political party is entitled to a fair and legal process as provided for in the Electoral Act and the constitution of the party.

The suit comes at a time of heightened political activities and consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections as parties across the country conclude processes for selection of candidates.

The Federal High Court in Lafia has adjourned hearing of the matter until June 16, 2026.

The post 2027: Dumwe Challenges PDP Over Consensus Candidate Selection for Reps Seat appeared first on TheNigerian.

Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Bishop Philip Agbese, has provided further clarification regarding the controversy surrounding a document allegedly linked to the purported move to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere to a minority leadership position in the House.
The clarification comes after CCTV footage surfaced online showing Hon. Agbese signing a document, which some individuals have claimed was evidence that he supported the alleged leadership arrangement.
However, Hon. Agbese maintained that while the individual seen in the footage is indeed him, the document he signed had nothing to do with the elevation of any lawmaker to a leadership position in the House.
According to him, the document in question was related to the welfare of members and the agitation for the implementation and delivery of constituency projects, stressing that it was entirely different from the narrative currently being circulated online and in some sections of the media.
Agbese challenged those promoting the allegation to provide evidence showing that the document he signed was specifically intended to support Hon. Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader.
“Let anyone provide video evidence that the document was meant to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere,” he reportedly stated, insisting that the purpose of the document has been deliberately misrepresented.
The lawmaker had earlier raised concerns on the floor of the House over a document purportedly bearing his signature and allegedly linked to the minority leadership issue. He firmly denied the allegation and distanced himself from the interpretation being given to the document.
Proceedings in the House reportedly became tense when Hon. Ugochinyere attempted to convince lawmakers that Hon. Agbese had indeed signed the document in support of his leadership aspiration. In response, Agbese vehemently rejected the claim, insisting

The post Agbese Clarifies Signature Controversy, Says CCTV Footage Was Misrepresented appeared first on TheNigerian.

There was a heated exchange in the House of Representatives on Thursday between a member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Philip Agbese and his fellow lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere.

It was gathered that the crisis erupted when Agbese alleged that Ugochinyere used his signature without authorisation in a document purportedly nominating him for the office of minority leader.

Agbese told the House that he was shocked to discover a document in circulation online with his name and signature in support of Ugochinyere’s bid for the opposition leadership position.

He said he had held discussions with several lawmakers including Ugochinyere on issues of the welfare of minority lawmakers and constituency projects but never endorsed any nomination document.

“I feel my legislative privilege has been breached because if I sign this document, that amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes for which it was not intended,” Agbese stated.

He urged the House leadership to probe the matter and stop what he described as more attempts by Ugochinyere and his cohorts to smear his image.

He also dismissed reports circulating on social media that some lawmakers were given $50,000 to support one of the candidates for the minority leadership position.

“My constituents have been reaching out to me. I have not received any sum of money from any person and I shall not receive. “This is my integrity,” he told me.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen replied that he heard Agbese’s complaints and assured him of looking into the matter.

“We will return to you on the issue you have raised in due course. But again, I want to bring to the notice of all the minority members that I am calling all the minority members of this House for a closed-door meeting today by 2 p.m. so that we can discuss further,” Abbas said.

Things, however, took a turn for the worse when Ugochinyere sought the indulgence of the Speaker to make a personal explanation insisting that, the allegations made against him on the floor and during a live broadcast could not go unanswered.

The Imo lawmaker denied the forgery allegation, saying that Agbese personally signed the nomination form to support his ambition to become the minority leader.

He said Agbese came to a meeting venue and voluntarily endorsed his nomination in the presence of several lawmakers who could testify to the development.

Agbese cut him off several times, yelling, “I never did that!” His remarks were greeted with loud protests.

The exchange devolved into a shouting match with lawmakers on both sides joining in and the Speaker having to repeatedly call for order as some members tried to calm the situation.

Despite the uproar, Ugochinyere said his nomination had the support of most opposition lawmakers.

“I understand that at the moment the overwhelming majority of 61 members out of 81 opposition members voted for me. “They will go to this level of desperation, I never thought it will come to this level, it may not be palatable to some people,” he said.

The charge of forgery was “a treacherous lie,” he said, and he would produce witnesses present at the signing of the nomination document.

The Speaker again intervened, telling the lawmakers to stop trading words and let the issue be addressed at the planned meeting of opposition members.

But before normalcy could be restored, another lawmaker rose on a point of order, saying that Ugochinyere’s claim that he was elected by opposition members should be expunged from the records of the House as the matter was not formally before the chamber.

The lawmaker said the only official way for the opposition caucus to determine and present its leadership to the House was through an official vote and that any declaration made on the floor was a personal opinion.410

The post Ugochinyere, Agbese Clash in House of Reps Over Forgery Allegation appeared first on TheNigerian.

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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