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By Tracy Moses
The G-60 minority caucus in the House of Representatives has released what it described as video evidence showing the Deputy House Spokesman, Hon. Philip Agbese, signing the nomination form endorsing Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader, in a move aimed at rebutting allegations that signatures on the document were forged.
The development followed claims made by Agbese during plenary on Thursday, where he challenged the authenticity of the endorsement list submitted in support of Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader, alleging that his signature had been fraudulently appended to the document.
In a statement jointly signed by Hon. Mukhtar Umar and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi on behalf of the caucus, the lawmakers dismissed Agbese’s allegation as false and misleading, insisting that all lawmakers who endorsed Ugochinyere’s nomination did so voluntarily.
“We note with concern the allegation by Hon Philip Agbese that his signature was forged on the endorsement list. This claim is false and misleading,” the statement read.
“To establish the facts and dispel any misinformation, video evidence exists showing Hon Agbese personally signing the nomination document and it will be sent out with this statement in the interest of transparency and accountability.”
The caucus maintained that there was no forgery or fake signature associated with the nomination process, stressing that a clear majority of opposition lawmakers supported Ugochinyere’s candidacy.
According to the group, 61 out of the 81 lawmakers constituting the Minority Caucus signed the nomination form backing the Imo lawmaker for the position.
“Out of the 81 members that constitute the Minority Caucus, 61 lawmakers willingly signed in support of Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere’s nomination,” the statement added.
The G-60 lawmakers argued that the nomination process became necessary following the vacancy created by the departure of former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, from the opposition fold. Chinda recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State, setting off a contest over the leadership of the minority bloc in the House.
The contest has exposed deep divisions within opposition ranks, with rival groups advancing competing interpretations of parliamentary conventions and party interests in determining who should occupy strategic leadership positions.
Against this backdrop, Agbese’s allegation of forgery introduced a fresh layer of controversy into an already contentious process. However, the G-60 caucus insists that the nomination exercise was conducted transparently and reflected the wishes of the majority of opposition lawmakers.
“We remain committed to due process, unity, and the collective interest of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Attempts to discredit a transparent and democratic process through unfounded allegations should be discouraged,” the lawmakers stated.
The release of the video evidence is expected to intensify scrutiny of the dispute and could have significant implications for ongoing efforts to resolve the leadership tussle within the minority caucus.
As the controversy unfolds, attention is likely to focus on the authenticity of the competing claims and the broader implications for cohesion within the opposition bloc at a time when recent defections and political realignments have continued to reshape the balance of power in the House of Representatives.