Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, has withdrawn his nomination as Minority Leader-designate of the House of Representatives.
Mr Ugochinyere, in a letter dated 10 June and addressed to the Speaker House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, seen by ThePreview Media, said his decision follows the recent amendment to the rules of the House governing eligibility and qualification for leadership positions within the Minority Caucus.
Some opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives had earlier nominated Mr Ugochinyere (APP, Imo) as the Minority Leader of the House, following the vacancy created by the defection of Kingsley Chinda to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Documents obtained by journalists indicate that 61 of the 81 opposition members in the House endorsed Mr Ugochinyere for the position and have submitted their nominations to the Speaker ahead of an expected announcement on the leadership of the minority caucus.
The lawmakers drawn from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Coalition (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Labour Party (LP), Action People’s Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Accord Party said their decision reflected the preference of the majority of opposition lawmakers in the chamber.
According to the lawmakers, their nomination was in line with Order 7 Rule 7 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, which provides that members of the minority parties shall elect among themselves a leader to coordinate their activities in the chamber.
Following the nomination, a deputy House spokesperson, Philip Agbese (APC, Benue), during plenary, alleged that his signature had been forged on a document purportedly showing support for Mr Ugochinyere’s emergence as minority leader.
Mr Ugochinyere immediately rejected the forgery allegation and insisted that Mr Agbese willingly endorsed his nomination.
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The Imo lawmaker told the House that Mr Agbese personally visited him and signed the document in the presence of witnesses.
Following the allegations, Mr Ugochinyere released a video to back his claim that Mr Agbese signed a document endorsing him for the position of minority leader.
In the CCTV footage, released last Thursday night, Mr Agbese, the lawmaker representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue, is allegedly seen discussing with Mr Ugochinyere in his office before signing a document.
Reason for withdrawal
In his letter, Mr Ugochinyere said while the nomination made by the majority of Minority Members was validly undertaken under the rules and circumstances existing at the time, the subsequent amendment has now altered the framework upon which that nomination was predicated.
“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 letter reads.
The lawmaker said 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.
“We trust that this step will facilitate a seamless transition to a fresh nomination process consistent with the amended provisions and the wishes of Minority Members.”
