Why I Stepped Down As Reps Minority Leader-Designate – Ugochinyere

Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, has withdrawn his nomination as minority leader-designate of the House of Representatives.

Ugochinyere cited a last-minute amendment to the House Rules that changed the eligibility requirements for leadership positions.

He recently emerged as minority leader-designate after securing the endorsement of 61 opposition lawmakers drawn from various parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), Action Peoples Party (APP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Accord Party.

The position became vacant after former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State.

In a letter dated June 10, 2026 and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ugochinyere said the decision was taken out of respect for the amended provisions governing the emergence of principal officers.

“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,” he stated.

Ugochinyere noted that his nomination was validly made under the existing rules.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

The House of Representatives amended its Standing Orders to redefine the meaning of “cognate legislative experience” for lawmakers seeking appointment as principal officers.

The amendment, adopted during plenary on June 9 following a motion sponsored by Hon. Babajimi Benson, stipulates that only lawmakers who have completed at least one full four-year term in the House of Representatives are eligible to serve as principal officers.

Benson had argued that parliamentary best practices require experienced legislators to occupy such positions to preserve institutional memory and strengthen legislative competence.

Ugochinyere was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2023.

At the plenary on Thursday, the Speaker announced Fred Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) as the minority leader.

He also announced Manu Soro (APM, Bauchi) as the minority whip, while Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) was named deputy minority leader.

“The Minority Leader is Fred Agbedi. The Minority Whip, and the person they have endorsed, is no other than Right Honourable Manu Soro. The last, but not the least, is my brother from the Northwest, Right Honourable Abdussamad Dasuki, as the Deputy Minority Leader,” Tajudeen said.

He said the nomination was made pursuant to Order 7 Rule 7 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, 12th Edition.

According to the Speaker, the minority caucus had reached a consensus on the lawmakers to occupy the vacant leadership positions.