The Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has reiterated that his signature was utilized for a purpose he neither intended nor authorized, emphasizing that he did not endorse Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
Background of the Controversy
In a statement issued on Friday, Agbese explained that the clarification became necessary following his presentation on the floor of the House under Order 6 Rule 2 on June 4, 2026, and the ensuing controversy over the emergence of minority leadership positions. He stated that while he had signed a document alongside Ugochinyere for a specific purpose, the signature was later attached to a separate document purportedly endorsing Ugochinyere as Minority Leader.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I signed a document with Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for a specific purpose. However, my signature was later used for an entirely different and unauthorised purpose — the purported endorsement of Hon. Ugochinyere as Minority Leader of the House. I did not, at any point, endorse him for that position,” Agbese said.
Allegations of Forgery
The lawmaker argued that the use of his signature beyond the purpose for which it was obtained amounted to forgery, stressing that he would not allow his signature to be deployed in a manner that could compromise the integrity of the House. “I remain unequivocal: the use of my signature for purposes other than what was expressly agreed upon constitutes forgery,” he stated.
Agbese further alleged that there had been efforts by some individuals to secure his signature for purposes he did not approve of, while also raising concerns about what he described as reports of inducements allegedly offered to lawmakers in connection with the disputed documents. However, he did not provide evidence in the statement to substantiate the allegations and noted that the matter should be subjected to due process.
Call for Investigation
The Benue lawmaker said he was prepared to appear before any relevant committee of the House to provide his account of events and support a transparent review of the controversy. “That said, I remain open and willing to appear before any relevant Committee of the House for a full, transparent, and impartial review of all the facts surrounding this issue,” he said.
Agbese urged all parties involved to allow the internal mechanisms of the House to address the dispute in the interest of truth, institutional integrity, and the unity of the Minority Caucus.
Ongoing Dispute
The latest statement comes amid an ongoing dispute within the opposition caucus of the House over the process that produced minority principal officers, with differing accounts emerging from lawmakers on the authenticity and intended purpose of signatures appended to nomination documents.
