House of Reps Erupts in Chaos Over Alleged Forged Signature in Minority Leader Drama

(Philip Agbese. Photo Credit: TheCable)

The House of Representatives was plunged into a disorderly session on Thursday after the Deputy Spokesperson, Philip Agbese, dropped a bombshell allegation that his signature had been forged on the circulated list of opposition members who reportedly endorsed Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader.

The controversy stems from claims that 61 members of the Minority Caucus had signed a nomination letter supporting Ugochinyere, a member of the Action People's Party (APP), for the Minority Leader position with Agbese's name and signature appearing on that list.

Adding fuel to the fire, an online newspaper, Aljazirah, published a report alleging that each of the 61 members received the sum of $50,000 before appending their signatures to the document.

Rising on a motion of personal privilege on the floor of the House, Agbese flatly denied ever endorsing Ugochinyere, describing the appearance of his name and signature on the document as a breach of his legislative privilege amounting to forgery.

He acknowledged having had conversations with Ugochinyere on matters relating to minority welfare and constituency projects, but was emphatic that those discussions never translated into any endorsement.

He also pointedly noted that the person identified as having signed the document on his behalf a certain "Honourable Seyi" was someone he had not seen since December 2025.

Agbese further denied receiving any money from anyone in connection with the nomination and declared his intention to submit both the list and the link to the online report to the House for investigation.

Ugochinyere, however, responded through a Motion of Personal Explanation, disputing Agbese's account.

He told the House that Agbese had actually been absent at the meeting where he was selected as Minority Leader by an overwhelming majority of the caucus, and that Agbese had subsequently visited his office and personally appended his signature to the document alongside other members.

He promised to produce evidence and witnesses to back up his claims and denied any forgery whatsoever.

The exchange quickly deteriorated into a shouting match on the floor, with members on their feet and voices raised, as Agbese interrupted Ugochinyere to insist he had never signed anything.

After several minutes of attempting to restore calm, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that a Minority Caucus meeting had already been scheduled for 2 p.m. and directed that all disagreements be taken up there.

Amid the chaos, Solomon Bob (APC-Rivers) raised a procedural objection, citing House Rule 7(15), which he argued stipulates that only experienced members can serve as principal officers.

He pointed out that Ugochinyere had barely spent three years in the House while other opposition members boast over a decade of legislative experience, and argued that he should not be allowed to emerge in the role.

Dagomie Abiante (APC-Rivers) went further, calling for Ugochinyere's position to be struck from the records of the House entirely.

Speaker Tajudeen maintained that all contributions on the matter would be properly addressed at the Minority Caucus meeting and proceeded with the day's scheduled agenda.