A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing contest for the position of Minority Leader in the House of Representatives following the release of a video by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, which appears to show Hon. Philip Agbese endorsing his bid for the coveted opposition leadership position.
The video, which has since generated widespread discussion within political circles and among members of the National Assembly, surfaced only hours after Agbese publicly alleged that his signature had been forged on documents nominating Ugochinyere for the office of Minority Leader.
The controversy has further intensified an already heated leadership battle among opposition lawmakers in the House, exposing deep divisions within the minority caucus following the recent vacancy created by the defection of the former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to sources close to Ugochinyere’s camp, the newly released footage was recorded on May 21, 2026, during consultations among opposition lawmakers over the leadership position. The video reportedly captures Agbese appending his signature to endorsement documents supporting Ugochinyere’s candidacy.
The footage emerged shortly after Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, raised a point of privilege during plenary on Thursday, insisting that he never endorsed Ugochinyere and that his signature had been fraudulently inserted into the nomination documents.
Addressing fellow lawmakers during the session, Agbese maintained that he neither signed nor authorized anyone to sign any document supporting Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, arguing that the alleged forgery constituted a serious breach of parliamentary ethics and procedure.
The Benue lawmaker also used the opportunity to deny social media reports alleging that he received the sum of $50,000 in exchange for supporting Ugochinyere’s aspiration. He described the claims as false, malicious, and intended to damage his reputation.
His remarks immediately sparked reactions across the chamber and set the stage for a dramatic confrontation between the two lawmakers.
Seeking to respond to the allegations, Ugochinyere requested the permission of the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to make a personal explanation on the matter.
Once recognized by the Speaker, the Imo State lawmaker firmly rejected Agbese’s claims, insisting that the endorsement process was conducted transparently and that Agbese personally signed the nomination form in the presence of several lawmakers.
Ugochinyere stated that the endorsement was neither forged nor fabricated and argued that multiple witnesses could attest to Agbese’s participation in the process.
As he spoke, Agbese repeatedly interrupted from his seat, vehemently denying the assertion.
“I never did that!” Agbese shouted several times, prompting reactions from lawmakers seated around him.
The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated exchange between both camps, with supporters of the rival lawmakers joining the argument and exchanging words across the floor of the House.
The atmosphere inside the chamber became increasingly tense as members raised their voices in support of their preferred candidates. At several points, proceedings were interrupted as lawmakers attempted to outshout one another.
The situation became so disorderly that Speaker Abbas was compelled to repeatedly call members to order and urge them to maintain decorum.
Despite the Speaker’s interventions, tempers continued to flare as lawmakers from opposing sides insisted on making their positions known.
Some senior members of the House eventually stepped in to calm tensions and prevent the confrontation from escalating further.
Following the commotion, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the concerns raised by Agbese and assured lawmakers that the issue would be addressed through internal mechanisms designed to resolve disputes among members.
The Speaker disclosed that the matter would be discussed during a closed-door meeting involving opposition lawmakers, where efforts would be made to reach a consensus and avoid a prolonged leadership crisis within the minority caucus.
The struggle for the Minority Leader position has attracted significant attention because of its importance in shaping opposition strategy and legislative engagement within the House of Representatives.
The position became vacant following the departure of former Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, creating an opening that several lawmakers have sought to fill.
Supporters of Ugochinyere argue that he enjoys overwhelming support among opposition lawmakers. According to a letter submitted to Speaker Abbas, his nomination was endorsed by 61 out of the 81 lawmakers belonging to opposition parties in the House.
The signatories reportedly cut across multiple political parties, including the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Accord Party.
Backers of Ugochinyere maintain that the endorsement demonstrates a clear majority and reflects the confidence that opposition members have in his leadership abilities.
However, the race remains far from settled.
A rival group of lawmakers is reportedly rallying support behind Hon. Frederick Agbedi of Bayelsa State, who has also emerged as a strong contender for the position.
His supporters argue that the leadership of the opposition should be determined through broad consultations and consensus rather than through what they describe as premature declarations.
Political observers say the unfolding controversy highlights the growing competition for influence within the opposition bloc and could shape the dynamics of legislative politics in the House in the coming months.
With the emergence of the video evidence and the conflicting claims by both lawmakers, attention is now focused on the proposed meeting of opposition members and any investigations that may follow.
As the leadership contest continues, many lawmakers are hopeful that a peaceful resolution can be reached to preserve unity within the opposition ranks and ensure effective representation of minority interests in the House of Representatives.
