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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Amid rising tension in the House of Representatives, over the position of minority leader, the House, on Wednesday, adopted a resolution barring first time members from occupying principal officers position.
The resolution effectively stalled the nomination of the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency, Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere, from emerging as the minority leader.
Ugochinyere was nominated, last Wednesday by 61 members out of 81 of the opposition caucus, as minority leader, to replace Kingsley Chinda, who resigned from the position, the day before, in line with extant rules of the House.
Order 7 Rule 9 of the House Standing Rules, mandates members of the Minority Caucus to choose their leaders from among themselves.
However, in a twist, the House adopted a motion proposing amendment to Order Seven, Rule 15 of its Standing Orders, which provides that only members with “cognate legislative experience” are eligible for appointment as Principal Officers of the House.
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The sponsor, Babajimi Benson, in the motion argued that parliamentary best practices globally reserve such positions for experienced legislators in order to preserve institutional memory, strengthen legislative competence, and enhance understanding of constitutional and intergovernmental processes.
The amendment specifically defines “cognate legislative experience” as requiring a member to have completed at least one full four-year term in the House of Representatives. It further states unequivocally that no other interpretation of the term shall apply.
Daily Sun gathered that the amendment has triggered fresh debate within the Minority Caucus, with stakeholders have expressed differing views on the implications of the amendment for internal democracy, party representation, and legislative independence.
However, inside sources said there are moves to resolve issues arising from the minority leadership contest. It was gathered that G-60 Minority Caucus Lawmakers, which had nominated Ugochinyere, is expected to play a key role in the selection of the next minority leader and other minority officers.
