The member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Ndudi Elumelu has been announced as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila made the announcement ignoring a letter by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP nominating Kingsley Chinda.
The announcement made by Gbajabiamila came amidst protest by many lawmakers.
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According to reports, the opposition party had in a letter announced Mr. Chinda as its leader in the House.
The party’s decision was contained in a letter dated June 26 and addressed to the speaker.
Premium Times reports that an acknowledged copy of the letter was signed by its National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and its Secretary, Umar Tsauri.
Recall that a similar letter from the party was sent to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, on the party’s choice of Eyinnaya Abaribe as its Minority Leader.
However, Gbajabiamila announced different names for the various minority leadership positions.
The PDP is the largest minority party in the House. Both Messrs Chinda and Elumelu are members of the opposition party.
The PDP had asked its members to vote against Mr Gbajabiamila when the latter was contesting for the House leadership position.
It is not clear if the speaker’s action of Wednesday was his way of getting back at the opposition party.