Ugochinyere Steps Down For Agbedi As Reps Minority Caucus-preferred Leader Over New Eligibility Rule

The lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has withdrawn his nomination as Minority Leader-designate of the House of Representatives, citing a recent amendment to the House Rules governing eligibility and qualification for leadership positions of House.

In a letter dated June 10, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Ugochinyere said the decision was taken on behalf of a Group of 60 out of the 82 Minority Members, stressing that the new rules had altered the basis upon which his earlier nomination was made.

Consequently, Hon. Fred Agbedi representing Sagbama/Ekremor federal constituency of Bayelsa State, has been appointed as new Minority Leader of the House.

He explained that while his nomination by the majority of Minority Members was valid under the rules existing at the time, the subsequent amendment necessitated his withdrawal. “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,” he stated. He added that the withdrawal was made “out of respect for the supremacy of the House Rules.”

LEADERSHIP recalls that the House of Representatives, had on Wednesday hurriedly amended its Standing Orders during plenary amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the emergence of a new Minority Leader for the House.

The development followed the moves by 60 minority lawmakers to fill the vacancy created by the exit of former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, with Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere.

Available records showed that 60 of the 82 members of the Minority Caucus endorsed the nomination of Ugochinyere for the position, demonstrating significant support within the Minority caucus.

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

Presenting the motion, Hon. 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.

He argued that parliamentary best practices globally reserve such positions for experienced legislators in order to preserve institutional memory, strengthen legislative competence, and enhance understanding of constitutional and intergovernmental processes.

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.

LEADERSHIP reports that Ugochinyere, alongside other first-timers in the House affcted by the new amendment, were elected into the House in 2023 and have only spent three years so far, with one more year left to complete a full legislative session or term.

The amendment effectively excludes first-term lawmakers from appointment as Principal Officers of the House, a move that has generated fresh debate within the Minority Caucus and across the National Assembly.

Stakeholders have expressed differing views on the implications of the amendment for internal democracy, party representation, and legislative independence.