Reps Minority Bloc Dismisses Signature Forgery Allegation

A bloc of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have rejected allegations of forgery in the nomination of Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader, saying all signatures on the endorsement document were voluntarily given.

The G-60 Minority Caucus said claims by Deputy House Spokesperson Philip Agbese that his signature was forged are “false and misleading,” adding that video evidence shows him signing the document.

According to the group, 61 of the 81 minority lawmakers endorsed Ugochinyere’s nomination following the exit of former Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress and is now its governorship candidate in Rivers State.

Agbese had raised the allegation during plenary, claiming his signature appeared on the document without his consent, triggering tension in the chamber.

But the caucus, in a statement signed by Mukhtar Umar and Seyi Sowunmi, insisted the nomination process was transparent and in line with democratic principles.

The lawmakers urged the public and media to disregard the forgery claims and rely on what they described as verifiable evidence.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji