Wike’s Ally, Chinda, Beats Atiku’s Candidate to Become Reps Minority Leader

Ilesanmi AdekanbiJune 17, 2023

1 minute read

The House of Representatives has a new minority leader in the person of Hon. Kingsley Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State.

Chinda emerged as the leader of the opposition lawmakers at a meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus on Thursday in Abuja.

Chinda, who is a close associate of former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, defeated Hon. Oluwole Oke, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State. Oke was the preferred candidate of former Vice President and PDP presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar.

According to Leadership newspaper, Oke withdrew from the race after realizing that Chinda had the overwhelming support of his colleagues. The PDP caucus unanimously endorsed Chinda as the minority leader.

This is the second time that Wike and Atiku have clashed over the minority leadership position in the House of Representatives. In the 9th Assembly, Wike also backed Chinda for the same job, but he lost to Hon. Ndudi Elumelu from Delta State, who was supported by former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP), which has 35 members in the House, also elected its deputy minority leader on Thursday. Hon. George Ibezimako Ozodinobi, who represents Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State, emerged as the deputy minority leader through consensus.

Ozodinobi’s rival for the position, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, stepped down after his colleagues endorsed Ozodinobi. Ozodinobi is from the same constituency as former Anambra State governor and LP vice presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.

The names of Chinda and Ozodinobi have been forwarded to the leadership of the House of Representatives.

A source told Leadership newspaper that they were presented to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abass, by the leadership of the minority caucus on Thursday.

The source said: “The new policy aims to enhance transparency, efficiency and liquidity in the foreign exchange market. She also said that the policy will help to reduce the pressure on the country’s external reserves and support economic diversification and growth.”