By Gift ChapiOdekina

The controversy surrounding the race for the position of Minority Leader in the House of Representatives took a fresh turn on Thursday as members of the G-60 Minority Caucus dismissed allegations that signatures on the nomination form of Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere were forged.

The caucus’ position came hours after a rowdy session in the House during which the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Rep. Philip Agbese, accused Ugochinyere and his supporters of using his signature without authorisation to endorse the latter’s bid for the minority leadership position.

In a statement jointly signed by Reps Mukhtar Umar and Seyi Sowunmi on behalf of the G-60 Minority Caucus, the lawmakers insisted that all signatures on the nomination document were voluntarily appended by the lawmakers concerned.

The group described Agbese’s allegation as false and misleading, maintaining that there was no forgery in the nomination process.

“Contrary to claims made by the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, all signatures appended to the nomination document were voluntarily provided by the lawmakers concerned,” the statement said.

The caucus further claimed that it possesses video evidence showing Agbese personally signing the nomination form in support of Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader.

“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. 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 group stated.

The latest development followed a dramatic confrontation on the floor of the House earlier in the day after Agbese raised a matter of personal privilege, alleging that a document circulating online had falsely listed him among lawmakers who nominated Ugochinyere for the minority leadership position.

Agbese told the House that he had not seen Ugochinyere since December 2025 and insisted that his signature had been used without his consent. He also denied reports that he or any other lawmaker received $50,000 to support a candidate for the position, describing such claims as damaging to his reputation and integrity.

The allegation triggered a heated exchange when Ugochinyere was allowed to respond. The Imo lawmaker denied any wrongdoing and maintained that Agbese personally signed his nomination form in the presence of several lawmakers.

His remarks provoked strong objections from Agbese, leading to a shouting match that disrupted proceedings and forced Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to repeatedly call for order.

The dispute also exposed deep divisions within the opposition caucus, with some lawmakers calling for Ugochinyere to be referred to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation, while his supporters insisted that he should first be allowed to defend himself against the allegations.

At the centre of the controversy is the battle for the leadership of the minority caucus following the vacancy created by the departure of former Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda.

According to the G-60 lawmakers, 61 out of the 81 members of the minority caucus endorsed Ugochinyere to fill the position after Chinda’s exit from the opposition bloc following his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress and emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.

The group said the nomination process was transparent, democratic and reflected the collective will 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 statement added.

The latest exchange is expected to intensify the contest over the minority leadership structure in the House as rival camps continue consultations ahead of an official decision on the composition of the opposition leadership team.

Speaker Abbas had earlier announced a closed-door meeting of minority lawmakers in an effort to resolve the dispute and prevent further escalation of tensions within the opposition caucus.