File: House of Representatives
The bid by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, to emerge as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives has effectively come to an end following a decision by the House to define what constitutes “cognate legislative experience” for principal officers.
The development came on Wednesday after the House considered and adopted a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Mr Babajimi Benson, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
The office of Minority Leader became vacant following the defection of former occupant, Kingsley Chinda, to the All Progressives Congress and his subsequent emergence as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Rivers State.
Ugochinyere’s ambition had gathered momentum last week, particularly after 61 lawmakers reportedly endorsed his candidacy. The endorsement, however, sparked controversy, with allegations of forged signatures and claims of financial inducement flying from different quarters.
