Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has maintained that his signature was unlawfully used to endorse Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader, insisting that he never supported the nomination.
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Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, made the clarification in a statement issued on Friday, following his presentation on the floor of the House on Thursday under Order 6 Rule 2.
According to him, he signed a document with Ugochinyere for a specific purpose, but his signature was later allegedly used without his authorisation to back Ugochinyere’s bid for the minority leadership 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,” Agbese stated.
He described the alleged use of his signature for a purpose different from what it was obtained for as forgery, stressing that he would not allow his name or endorsement to be used in a manner capable of compromising the integrity of the House.
Agbese said his refusal to support Ugochinyere’s nomination was based on several concerns, including what he described as desperation by some individuals to secure his signature, Ugochinyere’s alleged controversial political history, and claims that the lawmaker had boasted of possessing materials capable of blackmailing members of the House leadership.
He also referred to reports alleging that some members were induced to sign documents connected to the endorsement and later offered additional incentives after a confrontation on the floor of the House.
Although he did not provide evidence to support the allegations, Agbese insisted that Ugochinyere remained the person facing scrutiny over the controversy.
The lawmaker, however, expressed readiness to appear before any committee of the House investigating the matter, calling for a transparent and impartial review of all issues surrounding the disputed endorsement.
“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 House’s internal mechanisms and due process to determine the facts, adding that the outcome should serve the interests of truth, institutional integrity and the unity of the Minority Caucus.
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