Minority Leadership Tussle: New Reps Rule Excludes Ikenga, Other First Timers

The House of Representatives on Wednesday amended its Standing Orders amid an ongoing leadership dispute over the emergence of a new Minority Leader.

The development follows the vacancy created after the resignation and defection of the former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), where he emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.

The opposition bloc has been divided over the replacement, with a majority of Minority Caucus members reportedly backing Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State.

Available records indicate that 60 out of 82 minority lawmakers have endorsed Ugochinyere for the position, reflecting strong support within the caucus.

However, during Wednesday’s plenary, the House adopted amendments to its Standing Orders following a motion sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos).

Moving the motion, Benson said Order Seven, Rule 15 of the House Standing Orders stipulates that only members with “cognate legislative experience” are eligible for appointment as Principal Officers.

He argued that parliamentary best practice globally reserves such positions for experienced lawmakers to preserve institutional memory and strengthen legislative competence.

The amendment defines “cognate legislative experience” as completion of at least one full four-year term in the House of Representatives, stating that no other interpretation shall apply.

The change effectively bars first-term lawmakers from occupying Principal Officer positions, a development that has sparked fresh debate within the Minority Caucus and the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, efforts to resolve the leadership dispute have reportedly produced a proposed compromise arrangement under which Ugochinyere and the G-60 bloc would play a key role in nominating a consensus candidate for the Minority Leader and other minority principal offices.

Ugochinyere is expected to speak on the matter on Thursday.