The House of Representatives was thrown into a heated and rowdy session on Thursday following a fierce disagreement over the race for the position of Minority Leader, exposing deep divisions within the opposition caucus.
The controversy centered on an endorsement document reportedly signed by 61 of the 81 opposition lawmakers in support of Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere as the preferred candidate to succeed former Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, who recently resigned from the position after defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The situation escalated when Representative Philip Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, raised a matter of privilege on the floor of the House, alleging that his signature had been forged on the endorsement document.
Agbese told lawmakers that he became aware of the document after it surfaced online with his name listed among those supporting Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader. He insisted that although he had previously held discussions with several colleagues, including Ugochinyere, on issues affecting opposition lawmakers and constituency development, he never endorsed any candidate for the leadership position.
The lawmaker maintained that he had not met Ugochinyere since December 2025 and described the use of his signature as a serious violation of his rights as a legislator.
“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,” Agbese declared before the chamber.
He further called on the House leadership to investigate the matter and stop any further use of his name in connection with the endorsement campaign.
Agbese also dismissed allegations circulating on social media that lawmakers backing Ugochinyere’s bid had each received $50,000 in exchange for their support, insisting that he neither received money nor participated in any such arrangement.
The allegations immediately sparked uproar in the chamber, with lawmakers shouting across party lines and attempting to raise points of order simultaneously. The atmosphere became increasingly tense as members debated the authenticity of the endorsement document and the implications of the forgery claim.
Joining the debate, Representative Billy Osawaru of Edo State described the allegation as both criminal and serious, arguing that the matter should be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation.
According to him, if proven true, the alleged forgery would constitute a grave offence capable of undermining the credibility of legislative processes and internal House procedures.
Responding to the controversy, Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, urged members to remain calm and avoid further escalation. He stated that the House would first verify the allegations before deciding on any disciplinary or investigative measures.
“We need to investigate and confirm the claims made by our dear brother. Let us verify and investigate. First, let’s confirm beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a case to answer, and thereafter we will do the needful,” the Speaker said.
However, the controversy took another turn when Ugochinyere was granted permission to make a personal explanation. He firmly rejected the forgery allegation and insisted that Agbese personally visited his office and voluntarily signed the nomination form in the presence of other lawmakers.
According to Ugochinyere, several legislators witnessed the signing and were prepared to testify if called upon by the Speaker.
He described the forgery accusation as false, defamatory, and politically motivated, arguing that his endorsement by a majority of opposition lawmakers reflected the democratic choice of the minority caucus.
Ugochinyere further suggested that resistance to his emergence was being driven by interests uncomfortable with the overwhelming support he had secured within the opposition ranks.
“I understand that at the moment an overwhelming majority of 61 members out of 81 opposition members selected me. It may not go down well with some people, but I never expected that their desperation would get to this level,” he said.
The dispute highlights the growing struggle for influence within the opposition bloc following the resignation of former Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda. With the position now vacant, consultations and lobbying among opposition lawmakers have intensified, exposing competing interests and factional divisions.
As tensions continued to rise during the session, Speaker Abbas repeatedly appealed for restraint and urged lawmakers to handle the matter internally rather than turning it into a prolonged floor confrontation.
Political observers say the outcome of the leadership contest could significantly shape the effectiveness and cohesion of the opposition in the House ahead of crucial legislative debates and the political realignments expected in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
For now, the House leadership is expected to verify the competing claims before determining whether a formal investigation will be launched into the allegations surrounding the endorsement process.
