….lawmakers kick against Ugochinyere’s nomination
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
House of Represesentative was thrown into Pandemonium and rowdy session, following the allegation made by the Deputy Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, that his signature was forged among circulated list of opposition Members who endorse Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as Minority Leader.
It will be recalled that the Media had been awashed with the list of 61 Members of the Minority Caucus, who had signed in to nominate Ugochinyere, a lawmaker under the Action People’s Party (APP), for minority leadership position, with Agbese’s name and signature captured on the list.
It will be recalled that Aljazirah Nigeria had also, published an exclusive report, where it was alleged that, each of the 61 Members collected the sum of $50,000, before appending their signatures.
Lawmaker under a motion of personal privilege at yesterday plenary, Hon. Agbese strongly denied endorsement of Ugochinyere even as he alleging that media publication of his signature vis-a-vis his support is deliberate infringement on his privilege as a Member of the Minority Caucus.
He explained further: “Yesterday I saw a document on the internet with my name reportedly nominating a member of this House for the post of minority leader,”
“I had conversed, deliberated and visited many members of this House. One of the persons I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our discussion was basically centred on the welfare of members of the minority.
Speaking further on the matter Agbesse explained: “Number two was on the issue of the executive not adhering to issues concerning our constituency projects,” he said.
“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,”
“I saw on a social media blog that members have received a certain amount of money. I have not received any amount of money from anybody,” he said.
“My constituents have been calling me to know. This is not the first time my name is being mentioned in an issue like this. I don’t want to be involved and I don’t want my name to be further maligned as far as this is concerned because I have a right as a member of this House for my privileges to be fully protected,” he added.
Reacting to the allegation, the Speaker House of Representatives Hon Tajudeen Abbas said the motion was noted and that the House would take actions necaddary legislative action to address the matter in due cause.
Meanwhile Hon Ugochinyere a quick reaction to the allegations argued that there was a need to respond to the allegations raised by Agbese on live television.
He further disclosed to his colleagues that Agbese was absent at the meeting where he was unilateral selected as Minority Leader by overwhelmingly majority of the caucus members.
According to him, Agbese followed him to his office to append his signature on the document where other members had voted for his emergence.
Consequently, Hon Ugochinyere has pledged to provide cogent evidences and witnesses to confirm his position adding that there was no case of forgery of any sort like that before, during and after the process.
Hon Agbese equally interrupted Ugochinyere arguing that he never signed any document to endorse a members for the Minority leadership.
The Speaker had during the rowdy session spent several minutes to calm down the House even as he also promised to meet members of the minority caucus later on after the plenary to sort things out amicably.
To this end, a meeting was instantly scheduled for 2 p.m where all issues relating to endorsement and alleged forgery will be settle out.
During the plenary, many members still whet still
raising their hands to speak on the matter but Speaker Abbas only gave room for few members such as Solomon Bob, APC-Rivers.
In his arguement the lawmaker cited Rule 7 (15) of the House Rule stating that only experienced members can be principal officers.
He noted that Ugochinyere had barely spent three years in the house where there are opposition members with many years of experience saying that Ugochinyere should not be allowed to emerge.
In his reaction, Hon Dagomie Abiante APC-Rivers, warned that the position of the Ugochinyere should be not be allowed into the records of the House and should not be captured but ignored and deleted immediately.
But Speaker Abbas while ruling insisted that all contributions on the matter will be taken and resolve at the minority caucus meeting schedule later in the day even as he appealed for calm.
