The minority leadership crisis in the House of Representatives appeared not to be rested yet, as four members initially penciled down by the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), may face some punitive measures over “breach of legislative privileges”.
The affected members are Hons Kingsley Chinda, Chukwuma Onyema, Umar Barde and Muraina Ajibola, who were accused of still parading themselves as minority principal officers, against the Hon Ndudi Elumelu-led team as announced by Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila.
The PDP in its communication to the speaker at the resumption of its plenary in July named Chinda as Minority Leader, Onyema as Deputy Minority Leader, Barde as Minority Whip, and Muraina as Deputy Minority Whip.
However, Gbajabiamila through a list “from the conglomeration of all the minority political parties” named Ndudi Elumelu, Toby Okechukwu, Gideon Gwani and Adekoya Adesegun for the positions in that respective order, sparking protests on the floor.
Though the action earned Elumelu and his colleagues suspension by the PDP, his team is still being recognized by the leadership of the house.
A member, Hon Ben Igbakpe at the plenary Wednesday in a motion under matters of privileges recalled that the speaker on July 3, 2019 announced the minority leaders of the house, but that some members, namely; Chinda, Onyema, Barde and Muraina were “parading themselves as PDP Caucus leader, deputy caucus leader, minority whip and deputy minority whip, issuing statements outside the nomenclature this house, misleading the public and causing disaffection in the House of Representatives”.
According to him, their actions violated the section 24 of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act, adding that “I hereby call on this house to investigate this and bring the perpetrators to book. The matter was immediately referred to the house’s committee on ethics and privileges.
However, Chinda has, in his reaction, said he didn’t do anything wrong. “I am the PDP Caucus leader in the house with the authority and consent of the party. PDP is a registered political party and a creation of law and not the rules of the house.
“PDP has its leaders in units, communities, amongst students, traders, professionals and parliamentarians. These leaders are recognised as such. I have the mandate of the PDP to act as its leader in the house.
“Other minority parties are free to have their caucus leadership. I don’t see how that offends the rule or law of the house or the constitution”, the lawmaker stated in a tear statement circulated to journalists.
