The member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency of Bayelsa State, Hon. Fred Agbedi, has emerged the new Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Agbedi, a member of the Taminu Turaki-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) succeeded Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a member of the Nyesom Wike camp of the PDP, who resigned from the position and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chinda had won the APC governorship primary election in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 polls.
Also, the member representing Darazo/Ganjuwa federal constituency of Bauchi State on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon. Manu Soro, has been named Minority Whip while an African Democratic Congress (ADC) lawmaker from Sokoto State, Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki, was appointed deputy minority leader.
Recall that the erstwhile deputy minority leader, Hon. Aliyu Sani Madaki (Kano) had earlier resigned from NNPP and defected to the ruling APC while former minority whip, Hon. Ali Isa JC, also left PDP for APC.
The filling of the vacancies in the minority leadership of the House was contained in a letter from the opposition lawmakers read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen at plenary on Thursday.
According to the letter, the new minority leader, minority whip and deputy minority leader emerged through consensus.
This has put to rest weeks of minority leadership tussle after about 60 out of 80 opposition lawmakers endorsed Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of House minority leader.
However, the House of Representatives, on Wednesday, amended its Standing Orders during plenary on the heels of the ongoing controversy surrounding the emergence of a new minority leader, barring first-time lawmakers from occupying principal positions of the House.
The House adopted amendments to its Standing Orders following a motion sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).
Moving the motion, Benson stated that Order Seven, Rule 15 of the Standing Orders of the House provides that only members with “cognate legislative experience” are eligible for appointment as Principal Officers of the House.
The amendment specifically defines “cognate legislative experience” as requiring a member to have completed at least one full four-year term in the House of Representatives. It further states unequivocally that no other interpretation of the term shall apply.
Meanwhile, Ugochinyere withdrew from the race for House minority leadership position race.
He conveyed his decision in a letter addressed to the Speaker Abbas, which was read at plenary on Thursday.
“I write on behalf of the Group of 60 out of the 82 Minority Members of the House of Representatives, and in my personal capacity, to formally communicate the withdrawal of the nomination earlier submitted to your office for my emergence as Minority Leader-designate.
“This decision has become necessary following the recent amendment to the Rules of the House governing eligibility and qualification for leadership positions within the Minority Caucus. While the nomination made by the majority of Minority Members was validly undertaken under the rules and circumstances existing at the time, the subsequent amendment has now altered the framework upon which that nomination was predicated.
“In the interest of preserving the integrity of the institution, demonstrating respect for the authority of the House, and ensuring strict compliance with the amended provisions, I hereby withdraw and relinquish any claim to the position of Minority Leader-designate arising from the said nomination. This withdrawal is made out of respect for the supremacy of the House Rules.
“The Group of 60 remains committed to the unity of the Minority Caucus, the stability of the House, and the continued advancement of democratic and legislative ideals. We trust that this step will facilitate a seamless transition to a fresh nomination process consistent with the amended provisions and the wishes of Minority Members,” the letter read.
