Chaos erupted on the House floor Thursday as opposition lawmakers clashed over an endorsement list for the minority leadership post.
Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, an Imo lawmaker, is seeking to replace Hon.
Kingsley Chinda, who recently quit to join the APC.
A document has been circulating showing 61 of the 81 opposition members backed Ugochinyere for the role. But the peace didn't last long.
Hon. Philip Agbese of Benue State rose on a point of privilege to challenge the list's authenticity.
He claimed his signature was forged on the endorsement document.
According to Agbese, he first saw the paper Wednesday evening online. His name appeared as one of those nominating Ugochinyere for the position.
He told the House he'd never endorsed any candidate for the job. While he'd chatted with various lawmakers about minority issues, he said, this was different.
"My attention was drawn to a document on the internet with my name purportedly nominating a member for the post of Minority Leader," Agbese noted.
The lawmaker stressed he hadn't met Ugochinyere since December 2025. Using his signature without consent, he argued, violated his legislative privilege.
"This amounts to forgery for my signature to be used for purposes which were not intended," he said.
Agbese rejected reports that he and others received $50,000 each to back Ugochinyere's ambition. Money never changed hands, he insisted firmly.
"I have not received any amount of money from anybody and I will not do so. This is my integrity," he declared.
Lawmakers erupted into shouting matches across the chamber as multiple points of order were raised simultaneously. The scene turned rowdy within minutes.
Hon. Billy Osawaru from Edo State jumped into the fray.
He called the allegations both grave and criminal in nature.
Osawaru urged Speaker Abbas Tajudeen to refer the matter to the House Ethics and Privileges Committee. "An issue like this should be referred to that committee," he said.
Speaker Tajudeen promised a thorough investigation before any action would be taken. He wanted facts verified beyond doubt first.
"We need to investigate and confirm the claims made by our dear brother. Let us verify and investigate," the Speaker told the chamber.
Given the chance to respond, Ugochinyere rejected Agbese's claims outright. He insisted the Benue lawmaker visited his office voluntarily and signed the form himself.
The dispute left the chamber divided as lawmakers debated the credibility of both men's accounts. No immediate resolution emerged from Thursday's heated session.
