Reps minority leadership: CSO urges DSS to probe cash-induced endorsements claims

A civil society organisation, the Centre for Legislative Accountability and Democratic Integrity, has petitioned the Department of State Services to investigate allegations of financial inducement in the contest for the Minority Leader position in the House of Representatives following the emergence of Imo lawmaker, Ikenga Ugochinyere, as the preferred candidate of some opposition lawmakers.

The petition, dated June 5, 2026, was signed by CLADI’s National President, Usman Abdullahi, and National Secretary, Chika Nwafor.

Titled, “Request for immediate investigation into alleged financial inducement of members of the House of Representatives in the contest for minority leadership position”, the petition followed recent developments within the opposition caucus of the House after the resignation of former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.

Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, recently emerged as the preferred candidate of a majority of opposition lawmakers for the minority leadership position, a development that has generated political interest within and outside the National Assembly.

On Thursday, House Deputy Spokesman, Philip Agbese, claimed on the floor of the Green Chamber that his signature was forged, stating that at no time did he endorse Ugochinyere, while also denying collecting money in support of any lawmaker to succeed Chinda.

In its petition, CLADI urged the DSS to examine reports surrounding the endorsement process and determine whether lawmakers were influenced through monetary inducement to support particular candidates.

“The National Assembly occupies a sacred position in our constitutional democracy. Any suggestion that principal officers of the parliament are being produced through financial inducement rather than democratic consensus represents a direct assault on the integrity of the legislature and must be thoroughly investigated”, the organisation stated in its petition.

The group said an independent inquiry had become necessary to strengthen public confidence in the legislature and ensure transparency in the selection of parliamentary leaders.

“We are compelled to bring this matter to your attention because of widespread reports alleging that substantial sums of foreign currency were offered to lawmakers to secure their signatures and support. While these claims remain allegations, their gravity requires urgent and impartial investigation”, the petition added.

According to CLADI, Nigerians deserve assurances that decisions affecting democratic institutions are made through established procedures and the collective will of elected representatives rather than financial influence.

“The question before the nation is simple: were these endorsements products of conviction and consensus, or were they procured through monetary inducement? The answer is critical to public trust in the legislative institution,” the petition read.

The organisation called on the DSS to review all relevant materials and information that could assist in establishing the facts surrounding the allegations and take appropriate action based on its findings.

“No individual should be allowed to compromise the credibility of the House of Representatives. If public officers exchanged money to influence the emergence of parliamentary leaders, such conduct amounts to a betrayal of the electorate and an affront to democratic values,” the group stated.

CLADI further warned that failure to address the concerns raised by the reports could deepen public scepticism about the integrity of democratic institutions and the legislative process.

The Minority Leader is the highest-ranking opposition lawmaker in the House and plays a critical role in coordinating opposition positions on legislation, scrutinising government policies and providing alternative viewpoints during parliamentary debates.

Consequently, contests for the position often attract significant political attention, particularly when they involve multiple opposition parties represented in the chamber.

No evidence has been publicly presented to substantiate the allegations of financial inducement, which remain the subject of claims contained in the petition.