According to a report by The Nation on Wednesday 3rd June 2026, a political reshuffle is unfolding in the House of Representatives as 61 opposition lawmakers have reportedly endorsed Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader.
The endorsement follows the resignation of the former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who is said to have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Rivers State; His departure, along with other minority leaders who also joined the ruling party, created a leadership vacuum within the opposition bloc.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the 61 lawmakers reportedly nominated Ugochinyere to head the minority caucus; The lawmakers are drawn from several opposition parties, including the Labour Party, PDP, APGA, ADC, SDP, and others.
They maintained that their decision aligns with House rules, which empower members of the minority caucus to elect their leadership; The lawmakers also pointed to Ugochinyere’s experience and legislative performance as key reasons for his selection.
If approved after consultations with the minority caucus, the development will see him assume leadership of a restructured opposition team in the Green Chamber.
The Speaker is expected to meet with members of the minority bloc to finalize the new leadership structure in the coming days, amid broader efforts to stabilize opposition coordination in the House.
