The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has announced a new leadership following a consensus among Members of opposition parties represented in the Green Chamber.
The development was formally communicated to the House at the commencement of plenary on Thursday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON.
The reconstitution of the Minority Leadership follows changes in the composition of the Caucus arising from the resignation of the immediate past Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers); Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (Kano); and Minority Whip, Rep. Ali Isa J.C. (Gombe); following their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As conveyed by the Speaker, the Minority Caucus, acting in accordance with Order Seven, Rule 15 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives, reached a consensus on the emergence of new Principal Officers as follows:
- Rep. Frederick Agbedi (PDP, Bayelsa) – Minority Leader
- Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoto) – Deputy Minority Leader
- Rep. Mansur Manu Soro (APM, Bauchi) – Minority Whip
The Speaker noted that the nominations were duly arrived at through consensus among Members of the opposition caucus in line with established parliamentary procedure governing the emergence of Principal Officers of the House.
Rep. Frederick Agbedi represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State and was, prior to his appointment, Chairman of the House Committee on Special Duties. He also serves as Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus and Leader of the South-South Zonal Caucus in the House.
Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki represents Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State and was, prior to his appointment, Chairman of the House Committee on Shipping Services.
Rep. Mansur Manu Soro represents Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State and was, prior to his appointment, Chairman of the House Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The House further notes that Rep. George Ozodinobi (NDC, Anambra) retains his position as Deputy Minority Whip.
The Minority Caucus of the House comprises Members drawn from eleven political parties, namely: Accord Party, Action People’s Party (APP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The emergence of the new Minority Leadership reflects the House’s established parliamentary processes and underscores the continuity of legislative business through orderly leadership transitions in accordance with the Standing Orders.
