•House of Representatives
The G-60 minority caucus in the House of Representatives yesterday 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, amid a growing controversy over the leadership of the opposition bloc.
The caucus said the footage directly contradicts Agbese’s claim on the floor of the House that his signature was forged on the endorsement document submitted in support of Ugochinyere’s nomination, reports Daily Independent.
In a statement jointly signed by Hon. Mukhtar Umar and Hon. Seyi Sowunmi on behalf of the group, the lawmakers dismissed the forgery allegation and insisted that all endorsements on the nomination form were voluntarily appended by members of the Minority Caucus.
“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 said.
According to the lawmakers, the decision to release the video was informed by the need to set the record straight and prevent what they described as attempts to undermine a transparent democratic process.
“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 added.
The group maintained that there was no forgery or falsification of signatures in the nomination process, stressing that Ugochinyere’s candidacy enjoyed the backing of an overwhelming majority of opposition lawmakers in the House.
“Out of the 81 members that constitute the Minority Caucus, 61 lawmakers willingly signed in support of Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere’s nomination,” the statement noted.
The dispute stems from efforts by opposition lawmakers to fill the vacancy created by the exit of former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequent emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.
While presenting his objection during plenary, Agbese had challenged the authenticity of the endorsement list submitted in support of Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader, alleging that his signature had been fraudulently inserted on the document.
However, the G-60 caucus insisted that the nomination exercise was conducted in line with democratic principles and reflected the wishes of the majority within the opposition fold.
“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 said.
The latest development adds another dimension to the ongoing contest for the leadership of the minority bloc, which has been marked by intense political maneuvering and competing claims to legitimacy following a wave of defections and political realignments in the House.
With the release of the video evidence, attention is expected to shift to the veracity of the claims and counterclaims surrounding the nomination process, as opposition lawmakers continue to grapple with the challenge of maintaining unity in the face of deepening internal divisions.
