The House of Representatives descended into a rowdy session on Thursday after Deputy House Spokesperson Philip Agbese alleged that his signature was forged on a document endorsing Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
The controversy followed reports that 61 members of the Minority Caucus had signed a document supporting Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People’s Party (APP), for the leadership position. Agbese’s name and signature reportedly appeared on the circulated list.
The matter gained further attention after an online publication alleged that each of the 61 lawmakers received $50,000 before endorsing Ugochinyere.
Raising the issue under a matter of personal privilege, Agbese firmly denied supporting Ugochinyere’s bid, insisting that the use of his name and signature constituted a breach of his legislative privileges.
“Yesterday I saw a document on the internet with my name reportedly nominating a member of this House for the post of minority leader,” he said.
“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.
“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,” he added.
Addressing allegations that lawmakers were induced to sign the document, Agbese stated:
“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.
“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 further declared:
“This is my integrity I am talking about, I never signed any document and I never received any amount of money and I will never do.
“I will tender the list to the House as well as the link to the online report for this House to investigate the matter.”
Responding to the development, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen noted the complaint and assured lawmakers that the House would take appropriate action in due course.
However, shortly after the ruling, Ikenga Ugochinyere rose on a matter of personal explanation, arguing that it was necessary to address the allegations publicly.
According to him, Agbese was not present at the meeting where members of the Minority Caucus selected him as their preferred candidate for Minority Leader.
Ugochinyere further claimed that Agbese later accompanied him to his office and personally signed the endorsement document after other lawmakers had already voted in support of his emergence.
He promised to present evidence and witnesses to substantiate his claims, insisting that no forgery occurred.
The situation quickly escalated when Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere’s remarks, reiterating that he never signed the document. The disagreement triggered heated exchanges among lawmakers, with members shouting across the chamber.
After several minutes of disorder, Speaker Tajudeen intervened and reminded members that a Minority Caucus meeting had already been scheduled for 2 p.m., where all outstanding issues would be discussed.
The debate, however, continued as some lawmakers sought recognition to contribute.
Solomon Bob, representing Rivers State, cited House Rule 7(15), arguing that principal officers should be selected from among experienced lawmakers.
According to him, Ugochinyere had spent less than three years in the House, while several opposition lawmakers possessed more than a decade of legislative experience.
He maintained that Ugochinyere should not be allowed to emerge as Minority Leader.
Another Rivers lawmaker, Dagomie Abiante, argued that Ugochinyere’s explanation should neither be recorded in the official proceedings nor included in the House records.
Despite the continued attempts by members to speak on the matter, the Speaker insisted that all issues relating to the leadership dispute would be addressed during the Minority Caucus meeting and subsequently proceeded with the day’s legislative business.
