A rowdy session was thrown into the House of Representatives on Thursday, June 4, when the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese, alleged that his signature was forged on a circulated list of opposition lawmakers said to have endorsed Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
It was understands that the controversy followed reports that 61 members of the Minority Caucus allegedly signed a document nominating Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People’s Party, for the principal office.
Agbese’s name and signature were said to have been on the list, a development he refuted on the floor of the House.
The issue was further compounded by a report from an online newspaper, Aljazirah, which claimed that each of the 61 lawmakers received $50,000 before signing the document.
Agbese Seeks Motion of Privilege
Agbese, who rose under a motion of personal privilege, said the publication and the use of his name on the endorsement list had breached his privilege as a member of the House and that of the Minority Caucus.
He said his signature was used without his consent and denied having signed any document nominating Ugochinyere as the Minority Leader.
“Yesterday I saw on the internet a document with my name on it, purportedly nominating a member of this House for the position of minority leader,” he said.
Agbese said he had held discussions with several lawmakers including Ugochinyere, but said the discussions had not been about endorsing anyone for the position of Minority Leader.
He said his dealings with Ugochinyere were about the welfare of minority lawmakers and issues of constituency projects.
I had spoken, argued and visited many members of this house. One of the people I had such discussions with was my colleague, Honourable Ikenga Ugochinyere. We mainly discussed the minority members’ welfare.
“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 authorize anyone to put his name or signature on the list of nominations.
He claimed that the person who allegedly signed the document on his behalf was someone he had not seen for 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 he received any money from anyone in connection with the alleged endorsement.
“I saw on a social media blog that members received a certain amount of money. “I didn’t get any money from anybody,” he said.
Agbese said the allegation had generated concerns among his constituents who have been calling him to seek clarification.
“My constituents have been on the phone asking me. This isn’t the first time I’ve been mentioned by name in an issue like this. “I don’t want to get 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.
“It’s about my personal integrity and the House should properly investigate it,” he said.
“This is my integrity. I mean, I never signed any document and I never received any amount of money and I will never do.
“I will present the list to the House as well as the link to the online report for this House to look into the matter,” he said.
Speaker Says House Will Move
The 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.
But soon after the ruling, Ugochinyere stood under a motion of personal explanation, maintaining that there was a need for him to respond to the allegations made against him on live broadcast.
Ugochinyere 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 append his signature on the document already signed by other members who supported his emergence.
“I will produce evidence and witnesses to support my position. “I insist that there was no forgery.
Naija News gathered that the chamber got rowdy after Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere, saying that he never signed any document.
Several lawmakers rose from their seats and engaged in a shouting match, prompting the Speaker to repeatedly call for calm.
After a few minutes of disorder, Abbas pointed out to members that a meeting of the Minority Caucus had already been scheduled for 2pm, where the issue would be discussed at length.
Despite the Speaker’s intervention, a number of members held up their hands to speak on the issue.
Rivers Lawmakers protest Ugochinyere’s attempt
Solomon Bob, an APC lawmaker from Rivers State, referred to House Rule 7(15) that only experienced members should occupy principal offices.
Bob said Ugochinyere had been in the House for less than three years, while there were opposition lawmakers with over 10 years of legislative experience.
He stressed Ugochinyere must not be allowed to surface as Minority Leader.
Also speaking, another APC lawmaker from Rivers State, Dagomie Abiante, said Ugochinyere’s explanation should not be allowed to enter the records of the House.
Abiante contended that the position canvassed by Ugochinyere should be disregarded and expunged from the records.
But speaker Abbas maintained that 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 to an end the heated exchange on the floor.
