Despite Video Evidence, Agbese Insists He Didn’t Endorse Ugochinyere As Reps Minority Leader

Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has demanded a transparent investigation into the controversy surrounding the use of his signature in the nomination of Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.

The dispute began after a group of opposition lawmakers nominated Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State, to replace Kingsley Chinda as Minority Leader.

Chinda resigned from the role after emerging as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

During Thursday’s plenary session, Agbese rejected claims that he supported Ugochinyere’s nomination.

The Labour Party lawmaker maintained that his signature on the endorsement document was not used with his approval, leading him to allege forgery.

Ugochinyere, however, denied the allegation and later released CCTV footage which he said showed Agbese signing the document in his office.

In a statement issued on Friday, Agbese explained that although he had signed a document in the presence of Ugochinyere, it was meant for a different purpose and not as an endorsement for the Minority Leader position.

“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,” the statement reads.

“I remain unequivocal: the use of my signature for purposes other than what was expressly agreed upon constitutes forgery. I will continue to sign official documents in the discharge of my legislative duties, but I will never allow my signature to be used for any act that compromises the integrity of this House or borders on criminality.

“The purported endorsement of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere is one such unacceptable exception. My reasons for this firm position are as follows: the visible desperation exhibited by certain individuals in their attempt to obtain my signature by all means possible.”

Agbese also claimed there were reports suggesting that efforts were made to persuade lawmakers to sign the endorsement document, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

“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 Nigerians to “allow due process and the internal mechanisms of the house to take their proper course in the interest of truth, integrity, and the unity of the minority caucus”.

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