CSOs Urge DSS to Investigate Cash-Induced Endorsements

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate claims of financial inducements influencing endorsements for minority leadership positions in the House of Representatives. This request follows the emergence of Ikenga Ugochinyere as a preferred candidate over Kingsley Chinda, the former minority leader who resigned.

The petition, dated June 5, 2026, was signed by Usman Abdullahi and Chika Nwafor, urging immediate investigation into the allegations. Philip Agbes, the House Deputy Spokesman, stated that there was no time to endorse Ugochinyere and denied any claims of monetary support for Chinda.

The petition emphasizes the need for transparency in the endorsement process to maintain public confidence in the legislative institution and warns that failure to address these concerns could deepen public skepticism regarding the integrity of democratic processes. The allegations suggest that significant sums of foreign currency may have been offered to lawmakers to secure endorsements, necessitating an impartial inquiry.