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 ended after the House adopted a resolution defining what constitutes “cognate legislative experience” for principal officers.
The decision was taken on Wednesday during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, following the consideration of a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Babajimi Benson.
The office of Minority Leader became vacant after former occupant Kingsley Chinda defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and subsequently emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 elections in Rivers State.
Ugochinyere had recently gained momentum in the race after reportedly securing the endorsement of 61 lawmakers, a development that sparked controversy over alleged signature forgery and claims of inducement.
In his motion titled “Need for a Precise Definition of Order Seven, Rule 15 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives,” Benson urged the House to clarify eligibility requirements for principal offices.
He noted that Order Seven, Rule 15 provides that only members with cognate legislative experience in the House of Representatives are eligible for appointment as principal officers.
The lawmaker argued that parliamentary practice globally favours experienced legislators for leadership roles to strengthen institutional memory and legislative efficiency.
According to him, “global parliamentary best practices rule out first-term parliamentarians from holding principal offices and reserve such positions for experienced legislators to promote institutional memory, deepen understanding of legislative processes, and enhance competence in constitutional interpretation and intergovernmental relations.”
Benson also cited the Senate’s recent definition of cognate legislative experience as completion of at least one full four-year term in office, noting that lawmakers with multiple previous terms must have served in the immediate past Assembly.
He further stressed the need to promote stability, continuity, and matured representation within the legislature and in international parliamentary engagements.
The motion was seconded by Peter Uzokwe, who represents Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State.
An attempt by Uzokwe to move an amendment was ruled out of order by the Speaker on the grounds that the question had already been put to a vote.
Following its adoption, the House resolved that cognate legislative experience, as provided in Order Seven, Rule 15, shall mean a member who has completed at least one full four-year term in the House of Representatives.
Lawmakers further stated that no other interpretation shall apply to the term “cognate legislative experience.”
However, the resolution generated debate when the member representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Solomon Bob, raised a point of order, arguing that the motion was unnecessary and could limit the Speaker’s interpretative powers.
“Mr Speaker, this motion is not necessary. We are, in fact, restricting your powers to interpret our rules,” he said.
In his response, Speaker Abbas acknowledged the concern but noted that the House had collectively assumed responsibility for interpreting its rules.
“I understand, but I cede that power to the House,” he said.
The resolution has significant implications for the contest for the Minority Leader position.
Ugochinyere, elected to the House in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before later defecting to the Action Peoples Party (APP), is serving his first term in the National Assembly.
With the new definition requiring completion of at least one full term, his eligibility for the position has effectively been ruled out under the current framework of the 10th Assembly.
The development is expected to reshape the contest for the Minority Leader seat, with attention now shifting to ranking opposition lawmakers who meet the newly defined criteria.
