June 4, 2026
By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja
A heated dispute over the leadership of the opposition caucus triggered a rowdy session in the House of Representatives on Thursday as lawmakers engaged in a public confrontation over allegations of forgery, blackmail and attempts to influence the race for the position of minority leader.
The drama unfolded during plenary when the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Hon. Philip Agbese, raised a matter of personal privilege, accusing fellow lawmaker Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere of using his signature without authorisation in a document purportedly nominating him for the office of minority leader.
Agbese told the House that he was shocked to discover a document circulating online bearing his name and signature in support of Ugochinyere’s bid for the opposition leadership position.
