The Member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Bishop Philip Agbese, has called on constituents to submit their views and recommendations on the proposed Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police in Nigeria.
In a statement issued ahead of Thursday’s plenary session of the House of Representatives, Agbese described the consultation as a critical step towards ensuring that the position of the constituency is reflected in his vote on the bill.
According to the lawmaker, the National Assembly is scheduled to vote on the State Police proposal amid growing concerns over security challenges across the country.
He noted that the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force are currently overstretched due to the increasing security demands nationwide, making the consideration of State Police an important national conversation.
“The House of Representatives is voting today on the Constitution Alteration Bill for the establishment of State Police. Given the prevailing security challenges across the country, the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police Force are currently overstretched,” Agbese stated.
He explained that the State Police initiative is being proposed as an additional layer of security architecture aimed at strengthening local security response, improving intelligence gathering, and deepening the country’s federal structure while incorporating necessary safeguards against abuse.
The federal lawmaker emphasised that he remains committed to participatory representation and democratic consultation, stressing that the opinions of the people he represents would guide his decision on the floor of the House.
Agbese therefore urged all constituents to submit their feedback, views, and recommendations before the stipulated deadline of 10:00 a.m., assuring them that all submissions would be carefully aggregated and considered.
He added that the collective position of the constituency would serve as a guide in determining his vote during the plenary deliberations on the constitutional amendment bill.
The consultation has generated interest across the constituency, with many residents expected to contribute their perspectives on what could become a significant reform in Nigeria’s security framework.

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Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chief Dr. Bishop Philip Agbese, has provided further clarification regarding the controversy surrounding a document allegedly linked to the purported move to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere to a minority leadership position in the House.
The clarification comes after CCTV footage surfaced online showing Hon. Agbese signing a document, which some individuals have claimed was evidence that he supported the alleged leadership arrangement.
However, Hon. Agbese maintained that while the individual seen in the footage is indeed him, the document he signed had nothing to do with the elevation of any lawmaker to a leadership position in the House.
According to him, the document in question was related to the welfare of members and the agitation for the implementation and delivery of constituency projects, stressing that it was entirely different from the narrative currently being circulated online and in some sections of the media.
Agbese challenged those promoting the allegation to provide evidence showing that the document he signed was specifically intended to support Hon. Ugochinyere’s emergence as Minority Leader.
“Let anyone provide video evidence that the document was meant to elevate Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere,” he reportedly stated, insisting that the purpose of the document has been deliberately misrepresented.
The lawmaker had earlier raised concerns on the floor of the House over a document purportedly bearing his signature and allegedly linked to the minority leadership issue. He firmly denied the allegation and distanced himself from the interpretation being given to the document.
Proceedings in the House reportedly became tense when Hon. Ugochinyere attempted to convince lawmakers that Hon. Agbese had indeed signed the document in support of his leadership aspiration. In response, Agbese vehemently rejected the claim, insisting

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Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has been named Chairman of the Media and Publicity Subcommittee for the Labour Party’s upcoming national convention.

Ginger Onwusibe, the Chair of the Convention Planning Committee, made the announcement on Thursday in a list.

The party had set its national convention for April 11, 2026, but then moved it to April 28 in Umuahia, Abia State.

Ken Asogwa, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, said in a previous statement that the delay was so that more people could take part in the party’s re-registration process.

The party said in a statement signed by Salisu Mohammad, the convention secretary, that the appointments were in line with its constitution and the decisions of the National Executive Council.

The statement said, “Following the decision of the National Leadership of our great Party to hold the 2026 Elective Congresses and National Convention… the leadership of the Convention and Congresses Central Committee has formed the following subcommittees and approved their membership composition.”

Agbese and his committee members are in charge of getting the word out about the convention both in their own country and around the world.

They are in charge of managing press accreditation, coordinating media relations, and handling live broadcasts and streaming.

The committee is also in charge of running social media, keeping track of what happens, and helping with the event’s overall communication plans.

Ekeoma Ferdinand (Alternate Chairman), Prince Okey, Dodo Okafor, Enemenka, Victoria Kalu, Agnes Lolo, Jesse Ukachukwu, Muttaqa Yushau, Lanre Fadahunsi, Ure Abazie, and Ayu Olowu are also on the subcommittee.

Ken Asogwa will be the Secretary, and Ukoha Njoku will be the Assistant Secretary.

Agbese, who is from the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, recently switched from the All Progressives Congress to the Labour Party.

He said that problems within the APC in Benue State were the reason for his move, but he promised to keep supporting President Bola Tinubu’s policies.

Since then, he has been in charge of the Labour Party in Benue State.

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Philip Agbese, the House of Representatives’ deputy spokesperson, has issued a warning against the increasing politicization of pipeline surveillance contracts in the Niger Delta, stating that attempts to dismantle the agreement could jeopardize national security and undo improvements in the protection of oil revenue.

Agbese’s comments coincide with a resurgence of agitation by certain organizations demanding the decentralization of pipeline surveillance operations that are presently managed by private security companies, such as Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited.

Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, the congressman stated that pipeline preservation is still a very delicate national task that cannot be subjected to political pressure or indiscriminate involvement, even while concerns about inclusion and equity in the Niger Delta are understandable.

He emphasized that monitoring vital oil infrastructure is a specialized duty that calls for cooperation, confidence, and stringent operational discipline.

“Unlike political sponsorship, pipeline surveillance is not a contract that can be shared. Protecting Nigeria’s economic lifeline is the goal of this vital national security role. Agbese cautioned, “We must be careful not to reduce it to a tool for appeasing every interest group.”

The Benue senator claimed that because of a more coordinated and centralized approach, the present structure had resulted in quantifiable increases in crude oil output and a decrease in pipeline vandalism in recent months.

He claims that dividing the contract into several parts across states or organizations could lead to operational uncertainty, erode accountability, and make the system vulnerable to criminal elements infiltrating it.

“Gaps are inevitably created when you distribute such a delicate responsibility among too many actors.” It is possible to take advantage of those loopholes. You run the risk of introducing moles into a system that demands the utmost integrity and secrecy,” he stated.

Agbese cautioned that the inclusion of unapproved actors in pipeline surveillance activities might jeopardize intelligence, interfere with coordinated actions, and eventually give oil thieves and saboteurs more confidence.

He went on to say that sectional demands must yield to national security concerns, pointing out that Nigeria’s fiscal stability is closely related to the preservation of its oil infrastructure.

“Our oil resources are national assets, not merely regional ones. Government revenue, public spending, and the overall economy are all impacted by any disruption to their protection, according to Agbese.

The senator also warned against portraying the pipeline contract controversy as an entitlement dispute, arguing that doing so runs the risk of escalating tensions in an already sensitive area.

Although stakeholder engagement is crucial, he pointed out that efficiency and security results must not be sacrificed in the process.

“Inclusion and fragmentation are two different things. The two must not be confused. He continued, “What we need is a system that works—one that protects infrastructure, generates national revenue, and produces results.”

Additionally, Agbese advised organizations protesting the contracts to take a more positive stance by interacting with pertinent government agencies through discussion as opposed to public agitation that can exacerbate tensions.

He insisted that evidence and the national interest, rather than coercion or conflicting claims to access, should be the driving forces behind any necessary adjustments.

“We must refrain from taking acts that could impede development at a time when the nation is making great efforts to stabilize oil production and increase revenue. He declared, “Division and politicization are not appropriate at this time.”

The deputy spokesman called for ongoing oversight to guarantee accountability and transparency while restating the necessity of ongoing support for current surveillance arrangements that have proven their effectiveness.

He emphasized that rather than being widely dispersed, which could undermine their efficacy, national security operations must continue to be directed by professionalism and strategic coherence.

It is not possible to democratize every duty. A clear chain of command, accuracy, and trust are necessary for some. One of them is pipeline surveillance, Agbese continued.

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Philip Agbese, the representative for Benue State’s Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, has left the All Progressives Congress and joined the Labour Party.

In a message released on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Agbese—who is currently the House of Representatives’ Deputy Spokesperson—announced his defection.

The legislator explained his choice by saying he was answering what he called a “higher call” to provide more dedicated service to his constituents.

Agbese declared, “I am answering a higher call to serve my people with sincerity, humility, and commitment.”

He continued by saying that members of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives have already welcomed him.

“My respected colleagues in the House of Representatives, who are party members from all over the nation, have welcomed me into the LP, where Papa, Mama, and Pikin dey house,” he remarked.

Agbese also praised the party’s leadership and promised to support its expansion.

“I feel honored to be a member of such a modest assembly of patriots, guided by the exemplary leadership mantra of our distinguished National Chairman, Her Excellency, Senator Nenadi Usman,” he continued.

The legislator admitted that strengthening the party in Benue State is part of his new political role.

Agbese claims that he is aware of the difficulty of constructing and repositioning the Labour Party for future electoral success because he holds the highest political position inside the party in the state.

“As the party’s highest political office holder from Benue State, I fully understand the task of building and re-energizing the party for victory across the board,” he continued.

As a result, the foundation of our membership will be inclusivity, respect for one another, and the understanding that every member, regardless of age, is important. Philip Agbese, the representative for the Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, resigned from the All Progressives Congress and joined the Labour Party.

In a message released on his official Facebook page on Tuesday, Agbese—who is currently the House of Representatives’ Deputy Spokesperson—announced his defection.

The legislator explained his choice by saying he was answering what he called a “higher call” to provide more dedicated service to his constituents.

Agbese declared, “I am answering a higher call to serve my people with sincerity, humility, and commitment.”

He continued by saying that members of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives have already welcomed him.

“My respected colleagues in the House of Representatives, who are party members from all over the nation, have welcomed me into the LP, where Papa, Mama, and Pikin dey house,” he remarked.

Agbese also praised the party’s leadership and promised to support its expansion.

“I feel honored to be a member of such a modest assembly of patriots, guided by the exemplary leadership mantra of our distinguished National Chairman, Her Excellency, Senator Nenadi Usman,” he continued.

The legislator admitted that strengthening the party in Benue State is part of his new political role.

Agbese claims that he is aware of the difficulty of constructing and repositioning the Labour Party for future electoral success because he holds the highest political position inside the party in the state.

“As the party’s highest political office holder from Benue State, I fully understand the task of building and re-energizing the party for victory across the board,” he continued.

As a result, the foundation of our membership will be inclusivity, respect for one another, and the understanding that all members—new and old—have a crucial part to play in creating a more powerful and cohesive party.

and fresh, has a crucial part to play in creating a more powerful and cohesive party.

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