- Lawmakers oppose Ugochinyere’s nomination
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
The House of Representatives was thrown into pandemonium today, Thursday, June 4, following allegations by the Deputy House Spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, that his signature was forged on a circulated list of opposition lawmakers endorsing Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
The media had earlier been awash with reports of a list containing the names and signatures of 61 members of the Minority Caucus who reportedly endorsed Ugochinyere, a lawmaker elected on the platform of the Action People’s Party, APP, for the minority leadership position. Agbese’s name and signature were among those featured on the document.
It would also be recalled that AljazirahNigeria had published an exclusive report alleging that each of the 61 lawmakers received $50,000 before appending their signatures to the endorsement document.
Raising a matter of personal privilege during plenary, Agbese strongly denied endorsing Ugochinyere and described the publication of the document bearing his purported signature as a violation of his legislative privileges.
“Yesterday, I saw a document on the internet with my name reportedly nominating a member of this House for the position of Minority Leader,” he said.
“I have conversed, deliberated and met with many members of this House. One of the persons I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. Our discussions were centred mainly on the welfare of members of the minority caucus.
“Secondly, we discussed the issue of the executive not adhering to matters concerning our constituency projects.
“The person who signed this document, Honourable Seyi, I have not seen him since December 2025. Therefore, I am at a loss and feel that my legislative privilege has been breached because this amounts to forgery, with my signature being used for purposes for which it was never intended.
I also saw on social media allegations that members received certain sums of money. I have not received any money from anybody.
“My constituents have been calling me to seek clarification. This is not the first time my name has been linked to an issue of this nature. I do not wish to be involved, nor do I want my name further maligned. As a member of this House, I have a right to have my privileges fully protected.”
Responding to the matter, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, noted the complaint and assured members that the House would take the necessary legislative steps to address the issue in due course.
In a swift reaction, Ugochinyere argued that it was important to respond immediately to the allegations raised by Agbese during the live proceedings.
He informed lawmakers that Agbese was absent from the meeting at which he was overwhelmingly selected as the preferred candidate for Minority Leader by members of the caucus.
According to Ugochinyere, Agbese subsequently followed him to his office and personally appended his signature to the endorsement document after other members had voted in support of his emergence.
He pledged to provide documentary evidence and witnesses to substantiate his claims, insisting that there was no forgery at any stage of the process.
Agbese, however, interrupted Ugochinyere’s submission, maintaining that he never signed any document endorsing any member for the position of Minority Leader.
The Speaker spent several minutes restoring order as tensions rose on the floor of the House. He subsequently assured lawmakers that he would meet with members of the Minority Caucus after plenary to resolve the dispute amicably.
A meeting was consequently scheduled for 2 p.m. to address all issues relating to the endorsement process and the allegations of forgery.
Several lawmakers sought to contribute to the debate, but Speaker Abbas limited interventions to a few members, including Hon. Solomon Bob (APC, Rivers State).
Citing Rule 7(15) of the House Standing Orders, Bob argued that principal officers should be drawn from among experienced legislators. He noted that Ugochinyere had spent less than three years in the House and contended that more experienced opposition lawmakers should be considered for the position.
Also speaking, Hon. Dagomie Abiante (PDP, Rivers State) urged that Ugochinyere’s remarks should not form part of the official records of the House and should be expunged.
However, Speaker Abbas ruled that all contributions on the matter would be taken into consideration and addressed during the Minority Caucus meeting scheduled for later in the day, while appealing to members to remain calm.
