What was meant to be a quiet leadership transition inside the House of Representatives has now exploded into a full-blown political drama.
Hon. Philip Agbese, a member of the House representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, found himself at the centre of controversy after denying ever signing a document endorsing Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader.
But just hours later, the narrative took a dramatic turn.
Agbese Stands on the Floor, Denies Everything
During Thursday’s plenary, Agbese shocked lawmakers when he raised a motion of personal explanation.
He strongly denied signing any endorsement list, insisting his signature had been forged.
The lawmaker said he was stunned to see his name circulating online among members allegedly backing Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader.
Defending his position, he told the House that he never received any money and never appended his signature to any such document.
He went further, demanding an official investigation into what he described as a serious attack on his integrity.
“This Is My Integrity” — Agbese Insists
In an emotional defence on the floor of the House, Agbese maintained his innocence.
He insisted he had no knowledge of any endorsement process and challenged the authenticity of the circulating list.
His statement triggered immediate tension in the chamber, with lawmakers demanding clarity on the growing controversy.
The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, acknowledged the motion and assured that the matter would be addressed.
But Then… The CCTV Footage Emerges
Just when Agbese’s denial was still fresh on the floor of the House, a twist no one expected dropped.
CCTV footage surfaced online.
The video reportedly showed Agbese walking into the office of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and signing an endorsement document.
The timestamp on the footage placed the incident at about 5 p.m. on May 21, 2026.
In the recording, Agbese is seen signing the register in the presence of Hon. Midala Usman of Borno State.
The footage immediately shifted the tone of the entire controversy.
From Denial to Digital Evidence
What began as a strong denial inside the National Assembly quickly turned into a public credibility crisis.
The emergence of the CCTV footage has raised fresh questions about conflicting claims made on the House floor versus documented evidence outside it.
For many observers, the issue is no longer just about endorsement — but about trust, accountability, and political consistency.
The Minority Leadership Battle
The controversy follows the resignation of former Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who recently exited the position after emerging as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.
Following his exit, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere has been at the centre of efforts to reorganise the opposition leadership in the House, reportedly backed by a list of 61 lawmakers.
However, the emergence of conflicting signatures and denials has now complicated the process.
Ugochinyere Responds to the Claims
In his defence, Ugochinyere told the House that Agbese was not present at the caucus meeting where the endorsement was decided.
He insisted that the lawmaker later came to his office personally to sign the endorsement document.
Amid rising tension, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen urged lawmakers to remain calm.
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He directed that all disputes surrounding the Minority leadership arrangement be handled at an upcoming caucus meeting.
A Battle Beyond Signatures
What is unfolding in the House goes beyond signatures and CCTV clips.
It has now become a deeper struggle over credibility, influence, and control of the Minority leadership structure.
And with fresh evidence now in circulation, the political temperature inside the Green Chamber is unlikely to cool anytime soon.
