ABUJA — Member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, has formally withdrawn from the race for the House of Representatives Minority Leader position.
Ugochinyere’s decision followed a swift amendment to the House Standing Orders, which effectively barred first-time lawmakers from occupying principal officer seats.
The legislative seat became vacant following the defection of the former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Before the rules change, Ugochinyere had emerged as the frontrunner, backed by the powerful “G-60” bloc of 61 opposition lawmakers.
However, the House adopted a fresh motion to amend Order 7, Rule 15 of its standing rules. The new amendment strictly redefines “cognate legislative experience,” stipulating that only lawmakers who have completed at least one full four-year term in parliament are eligible to lead principal office positions.
In a formal letter delivered to the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Ugochinyere stated that he chose to step aside to respect the institutional supremacy of the House Rules and maintain peace within the parliament.
Following his withdrawal, the veteran People’s Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker from Bayelsa State, Hon. Frederick Agbedi, was formally selected and announced as the new House Minority Leader.
