By Our Correspondent

The G-60 Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives wishes to categorically state that there was no forgery or fake signature in the nomination of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere of the Action People’s Party (APP) for the position of Minority Leader.

A release signed by Hon.Mukhtar. Umar and Hon Seyi Sowunmi said that contrary to claims made by the Deputy Spokesperson of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese at the plenary today, all signatures appended to the nomination document were voluntarily provided by the lawmakers concerned. Out of the 81 members that constitute the Minority Caucus, 61 lawmakers willingly signed in support of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere’s nomination to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Hon. Kingsley Chinda following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his subsequent emergence as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.

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.

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. We urge members of the public and the media to disregard claims of forgery and rely on verifiable facts regarding the nomination process.

By Our Correspondent

The House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly experienced a commotion that almost snowballed into a turmoil for close to half an hour over allegation of forgery of signature of members who endorsed the candidate for the office of Minority Leader of the House Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

However the Speaker Rt.Hon.Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the sitting of the House on Thursday immediately quenched the fire when he told the entire lawmakers that the House leadership would investigate the matter and take appropriate actions in line with the provisions of the House Rules.

Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere

The whole fracas began mid-way into the legislative session after the approval of the votes and proceedings of the previous days session by the presiding officer.

A member of the House Hon.Philip Agbese (Benue,LP) had raised a point of order bothering on abuse of his priveldges as a member of the House.

The lawmaker, a first term lawmaker said his signature was suppreptitsciosly included in a document that endorsed Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as Minority Leader alongside 60 other members of the House which he did not sign.

He further stated that he read some bloggers and some online stories published by some media outfits that alleged that all the lawmaker that signed the documents collected $50,000.00 saying that he did not collect the money as alleged.

He called on the House leadership to investigate the matter, clear his name and ensure that disciplinary actions is taken against those who decided to dent his image as a lawmaker and cause him disaffection with his constituents for no just cause.

However, the Speaker in his intervention said that the matter will be investigated by the House and assured that appropriate actions would be taken if the matter of forgery is established by the probe.

Another member of the green chamber Hon.Billy Osawaru (Edo,APC) in his submission however urged the House to immediately refer the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for a thorough investigation.

At this juncture, the man in the centre of the controversy Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Imo,AAP) stood up and raised a counter point of order.

He said that the allegation of forgery of his signature raised by Hon.Philip Agbsese is baseless and unfounded as the lawmaker walked into the meeting in his office where the other 60 lawmakers that endorsed his candidacy for the position of Minority Leader signed their signatures.

He said that the issue of selection of Minority Leader in the green chamber is purely the prerogative of the minority parties which were all represented at the meeting.

Nothwitstanding, Hon.Agbese stood up again to counter the position of the man who is being accused of forgery of his signature insisting that he never signed any documents on the endorsement of his candidacy.

This led to a serious commotion in the green chamber as other lawmakers spoke for and against the matter resulting into the hurried adjournment of the legislative session to Tuesday May 9, 2026 by the presiding officer.

End
[04/06, 15:34] Jonas-Champion: Minority Leadership: Reps In Commotion Over Allegation of Signature Forgery.

Jonas Ezieke, Abuja.

The House of Representatives of the 10th National Assembly experienced a commotion that almost snowballed into a turmoil for close to half an hour over allegation of forgery of signature of members who endorsed the candidate for the office of Minority Leader of the House Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere.

However the Speaker Rt.Hon.Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the sitting of the House on Thursday immediately quenched the fire when he told the entire lawmakers that the House leadership would investigate the matter and take appropriate actions in line with the provisions of the House Rules.

The whole fracas began mid-way into the legislative session after the approval of the votes and proceedings of the previous days session by the presiding officer.

A member of the House Hon.Philip Agbese (Benue,LP) had raised a point of order bothering on abuse of his priveldges as a member of the House.

The lawmaker, a first term lawmaker said his signature was suppreptitsciosly included in a document that endorsed Hon.Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as Minority Leader alongside 60 other members of the House which he did not sign.

He further stated that he read some bloggers and some online stories published by some media outfits that alleged that all the lawmaker that signed the documents collected $50,000.00 saying that he did not collect the money as alleged.

He called on the House leadership to investigate the matter, clear his name and ensure that disciplinary actions is taken against those who decided to dent his image as a lawmaker and cause him disaffection with his constituents for no just cause.

However, the Speaker in his intervention said that the matter will be investigated by the House and assured that appropriate actions would be taken if the matter of forgery is established by the probe.

Another member of the green chamber Hon.Billy Osawaru (Edo,APC) in his submission however urged the House to immediately refer the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges for a thorough investigation.

At this juncture, the man in the centre of the controversy Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Imo,AAP) stood up and raised a counter point of order.

He said that the allegation of forgery of his signature raised by Hon.Philip Agbsese is baseless and unfounded as the lawmaker walked into the meeting in his office where the other 60 lawmakers that endorsed his candidacy for the position of Minority Leader signed their signatures.

He said that the issue of selection of Minority Leader in the green chamber is purely the prerogative of the minority parties which were all represented at the meeting.

Nothwitstanding, Hon.Agbese stood up again to counter the position of the man who is being accused of forgery of his signature insisting that he never signed any documents on the endorsement of his candidacy.

This led to a serious commotion in the green chamber as other lawmakers spoke for and against the matter resulting into the hurried adjournment of the legislative session to Tuesday June 9, 2026 by the presiding officer.

By Uthman-Baba Naseer, Minna

Niger State Governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ,Dr. Mohammed Kpautagi, has decried the increasing debt burden of over ₦1.5 trillion local and foreign debt by governor Umar Bago from 2023 to date

Kpautagi who was reacting to another recent approval of $14.4 million, over ₦ 20 Billion granted by the Niger State House of Assembly for the state as a food security financing facility.

He said though investing in the Agricultural sector is very important for the people of the state to strengthen the food security,notwithstanding people of the state deserve explanation on the economic position of the state.

Dr. Kpautagi stated that the people of Niger State deserves clear and comprehensive explanations regarding the necessity of additional borrowing while the state is receiving substantial monthly federal allocations, in addition to increased internally generated revenue,along with that of local government councils in the state.

According to him, responsible government need to inculcate transparency, accountability, and be prudent with the available resources before requesting for additional debt on the state and future generations.

Dr. Kpautagi further noted that security remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Niger State, also decried the Banditry attacks of various communities, the constant kidnappings, and other forms of criminal activities across the state is alarming forcing the people to abandon their ancestral homes.

The Governorship Candidate stressed that agriculture is a critical sector for economic growth, and sustainable food sufficiency can be realised in an environment where farmers are safe and able to access their farmlands without fear.

” My first priority as the governor of Niger State is to collaborate with security agencies within and outside through the support of the federal government to finally put a stop to insecurity threatening farming activities across the state’.

The ADC governorship candidate pointed out that communities in the state are still facing inadequate health facilities,adding that provision of infrastructures on health and Education will be prioritised to improve health care services and give education a new direction.

He expressed optimism that rural development shall be one of his major target to reinvigorate economic growth and to discourage rural urban migration thereby boosting economic opportunities.

According to him, it is mandatory for a leader to explain how state resources are expended, emphasizing that citizens have legitimate right to demand explanations on how public resources have been utilised, public have the right to know how much a contract is awarded to earn public trust.

Dr. Kpautagi emphasized that borrowing is not inherently wrong,but should be guided by a sound economic strategy, transparency, accountability, instead of putting the state in a bankruptcy circumstance.

Also reacting on the widespread condemnations by the public on the fresh loan by the government,the speaker of the state house of assembly,Barr Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, said it is false and misleading.

” The government only stands as a guarantor for Niger food security systems and logistics, through the United Bank for Africa,UBA to access financing under the Saudi Exim line credit for the support of its operations.”

To Buttress his statement,” the Speaker further explained that, the state government has the constitutional power to seek loans through the state assembly provided such facilities are required for the development of the state”