On Thursday, the House of Representatives descended into a rowdy session after Deputy Spokesperson Hon. Philip Agbese alleged that his signature had been forged on a list of opposition members endorsing Imo lawmaker Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as the new Minority Leader.
There has been reports of a list of 61 members of the Minority Caucus, who had appended their signatures to nominate Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People’s Party (APP), for the minority leadership position, with Agbese’s name and signature allegedly captured on the list.
There were reports that each of the 61 members allegedly collected the sum of $50,000, before appending their signatures.
Coming under a motion of personal privilege on the floor of the House, Hon. Agbese denied ever endorsing Hon. Ugochinyere, saying the development infringed his privilege as a member of the Minority Caucus.
He said he had never met with Ikenga over such issue. He urged the House to urge Ikenga to stop using his name for such matters.
“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. 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.
He emphasized he hadn’t collected any money.
Agbese it was his integrity on the line, adding he cannot do anything that can compromise it.
He said he will tender the list to the House as well as the link to the online report for this House to investigate the matter.
His words, “My privilege has been infringed because this amounts to forgery. For my signature to be used for purposes which not intended for I seek the leave of this house to prove and investigate and to stop further any use of my signature going further for any of this kind of purpose. I also want to pray this Honorable House to stop Hon Ikenga and members of his team or his agent or anybody acting in his behalf from further maligning my name.
“This morning I saw on a social media blog that members have received certain amounts of money. I have not received any amount from anybody. I intend to tender this before the House and to further tender the news link where it was reported that I or other members whose names appear here have collected the sum of $50,000 from anyone. I have not received any amount from anybody and I would not do so. This is my integrity and this is my prayer before the House.
“My constituents have been calling me to know and this is not the first time my name is being mentioned in an issue like this. I don’t want to be involved. I don’t want my name to be further maligned as far as this is concerned because I have been right as a member of this House for my privileges to be fully protected and not to be destroyed by any member of this House,” he said.
In his ruling, the Speaker Abbas Tajudeen said the motion was noted and that the House would take action in due cause.
However, shortly after the ruling, Rep. Ugochinyere, in a motion of Personal Explanation, said that there was need to respond to the allegations raised by Agbese.
He explained to the House that Agbese was absent at the meeting where he was selected as Minority Leader by overwhelmingly majority of the caucus.
According to him, Agbese followed him to his office to append his signature on the document where other members had voted for his emergence.
Ugochinyere promised to provide evidences and witnesses to confirm his position saying that there was no case of forgery of any sort.
However, Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere insisting that he never signed any document, then members, standing across their seats and in very loud voices, engaged in shouting match. The situation became very rowdy.
The Speaker tried to calm the House, saying a minority caucus meeting had already been fixed for 2 p.m and that all disagreements will be discussed there.
With many members still raising their hands to speak, Rep. Solomon Bob was given and the opportunity and he said that according to House Rule 7 (15), only experienced members can be principal officers.
He said that Ugochinyere had barely spent three years in the house where there are opposition members with over years experience saying that Ugochinyere should not be allowed to emerge.
Rep Billy Osawaru called on the Speaker to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, describing the matter as sensitive.
Rep. Dagomie Abiante said that the situation with Ugochinyere should be not be allowed into the records of the House and should not be captured but ignored and deleted.
Speaker Abbas insisted that all contributions on the matter will be taken at the minority caucus meeting slated for 2pm after plenary and continued with proceedings for the day.
