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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Minority Reps insist Agbese signed document endorsing Ugochinyere as leader

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The G-60 minority caucus in Nigeria's House of Representatives has dismissed allegations of forged signatures on a document endorsing Ikenga Ugochinyere for Minority Leader.
  • The caucus released video evidence showing Deputy spokesperson Philip Agbese signing the document, contradicting his claim of forgery.
  • The endorsement, supported by 61 out of 81 members, aims to fill the vacancy left by a former leader who defected to the ruling party.

A faction within Nigeria's House of Representatives, known as the G-60 minority caucus, has vehemently denied accusations that signatures were forged on a document nominating Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.

The caucus stated that all lawmakers who supported Ugochinyere's nomination signed the document voluntarily. To counter the allegations, they released video evidence purportedly showing the House Deputy spokesperson, Philip Agbese, personally signing the nomination form. This directly refutes Agbese's claim, made on the floor of the House, that his signature had been forged.

We note with concern the allegation by Hon. Philip Agbese that his signature was forged on the endorsement list. This claim is false and misleading.

— G-60 minority caucusResponding to allegations of signature forgery.

In a statement issued on behalf of the group, lawmakers Mukhtar Umar and Seyi Sowunmi described Agbese's claim as "false and misleading." They accused him of attempting to undermine a democratic process and emphasized that the video evidence would be shared to ensure transparency and accountability.

To establish the facts and dispel any misinformation, video evidence exists showing Hon. Agbese personally signing the nomination document, and it will be sent out with this statement in the interest of transparency and accountability.

— G-60 minority caucusPresenting evidence to counter claims of forgery.

The nomination of Ugochinyere, representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency, is intended to fill the leadership vacuum created after the former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, defected to the All Progressives Congress. The G-60 caucus asserted that 61 out of the 81 members constituting the Minority Caucus willingly endorsed Ugochinyere's candidacy.

The G-60 lawmakers stressed their commitment to due process, unity, and the collective interests of opposition lawmakers. They urged that attempts to discredit transparent and democratic processes through unfounded allegations should be discouraged, marking the latest development in the ongoing contest for leadership within the House's minority bloc.

Out of the 81 members that constitute the Minority Caucus, 61 lawmakers willingly signed in support of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere’s nomination.

— G-60 minority caucusConfirming the majority support for Ugochinyere's nomination.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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