A heated session unfolded in the House of Representatives on Thursday after Philip Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, publicly denied endorsing fellow legislator Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
Raising a point of privilege during plenary, Agbese alleged that his signature was forged on a document circulating online that purportedly nominated Ugochinyere for the leadership position.
According to Agbese, while he had previously engaged in discussions with Ugochinyere and other lawmakers regarding the welfare of minority members and concerns over constituency projects, he never authorized the use of his signature to support any nomination.
“My legislative privilege has been breached because this amounts to forgery,” Agbese told the House, insisting that the signature attached to the document was not intended for such a purpose.
The Labour Party lawmaker called on the House leadership to investigate the matter and prevent any further use of his name in connection with the alleged endorsement. He also accused Ugochinyere and his associates of attempting to tarnish his reputation.
Agbese further claimed that reports circulating on social media alleged that some lawmakers received $50,000 in exchange for endorsing Ugochinyere’s bid for Minority Leader.
Responding to the concerns, Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas urged members to refrain from further debate on the issue, assuring lawmakers that appropriate action would be taken. Abbas also announced plans to meet with opposition lawmakers later in the day to address the controversy.
“I don’t want us to debate this matter on the floor further. It is something within the family to discuss and make a decision appropriately,” the Speaker stated.
However, not all lawmakers were satisfied with the Speaker’s position. Billy Osawaru, representing Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, argued that the matter should be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges, describing the allegations as both criminal and sensitive.
The controversy deepened when Ugochinyere rose to reject Agbese’s claims, calling them an “outrageous lie.” He maintained that Agbese attended the meeting where opposition lawmakers endorsed his candidacy and personally signed the nomination document.
“Honourable Agbese attended the meeting and independently appended his signature to my nomination for the office of Minority Leader,” Ugochinyere said, adding that he could provide witnesses who saw Agbese sign the document.
Agbese immediately disputed the assertion, insisting that he neither attended the meeting nor signed any nomination form. The exchange triggered fresh disorder in the chamber, with lawmakers shouting across the floor. It reportedly took Speaker Abbas more than 15 minutes to restore order.
Following the restoration of calm, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, a lawmaker from Rivers State, cautioned against treating the ongoing dispute as official House business. He argued that discussions regarding the Minority Leader position remained speculative until the opposition caucus formally presented its nominee.
“The minority caucus will formally present its leader to the House at the appropriate time. Until then, whatever has been said remains a personal opinion,” Abiante stated.
The incident highlights growing tensions within the opposition ranks as lawmakers continue to jostle for key leadership positions in the 10th National Assembly. Whether the allegations of forgery and inducement will be formally investigated remains to be seen.
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