NASS Update: Minority Leader Resigns, Leadership Battle, NILDS DG Under Scrutiny, and Security Issues

As the House of Representatives returned from a four-week break, it had a busy week. The week was filled with the resignation of the minority leader, a fight over who would replace him, claims of forged endorsements, an investigation of the NILDS Director-General, and renewed calls to rescue abducted schoolchildren, teachers, and worshippers across Nigeria.

Chinda Steps Down as Minority Leader

Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, officially resigned from his role and switched from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced Mr Chinda’s resignation during the plenary session on Tuesday as lawmakers resumed their activities after the break.
Mr Chinda’s resignation letter stated that he stepped down from the minority leadership position effective from 23 April.
His exit ended weeks of speculation about his political future after he took part in the APC governorship primary in Rivers State without publicly resigning from either the PDP or his minority leadership position.

Opposition Members Choose Ugochinyere

The day after Mr Chinda’s resignation was made public, some opposition lawmakers moved quickly to fill the vacancy. They nominated Ikenga Ugochinyere (APP, Imo) as the new minority leader.
Documents seen by journalists showed that 61 out of 81 opposition members in the House backed Mr Ugochinyere and submitted his name to the Speaker.
The lawmakers included members from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Labour Party (LP), Action People’s Party (APP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Accord Party. They said their endorsement represented the majority of opposition lawmakers.

Claims of Forgery Spark Tension

The contest for minority leadership took a surprising turn on Thursday. Deputy House spokesperson Philip Agbese denied endorsing Mr Ugochinyere and claimed that his signature was forged on the nomination document.
During the plenary, Mr Agbese accused some lawmakers of falsely linking him to the endorsement. He said reports that lawmakers received $50,000 related to the process were aimed at ruining his reputation.
His accusations led to heated arguments in the House. Supporters of Mr Ugochinyere insisted that the Benue lawmaker personally signed the nomination document in front of witnesses. The arguments briefly disrupted the session as lawmakers debated competing claims regarding the leadership race.

G-60 Group Releases Video Proof

Not long after the dispute began, minority lawmakers in the G-60 Minority Caucus rejected the claims that signatures on Mr Ugochinyere’s nomination document were forged.
In a statement signed by Mukhtar Umar (NDC, Kano) and Seyi Sowunmi (NDC, Lagos), the lawmakers insisted that all 61 signatories willingly endorsed Mr Ugochinyere.
They also shared what they called video proof showing Mr Agbese signing the nomination document. They urged the public and media to ignore allegations of forgery. According to the caucus, the nomination process was open and backed by verifiable evidence.

House Orders Investigation of NILDS DG

The House also ordered an investigation into claims that the Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abubakar Sulaiman, got involved in political activities while holding a public office that should stay neutral.
This decision came after a motion of urgent public importance was adopted. The motion was sponsored by Salisu Yusuf (APC, Katsina) and 12 other lawmakers.
Mr Yusuf informed the House that public records showed that the NILDS DG bought nomination forms, took part in screening exercises, and contested in the APC governorship primary election in Kwara State.
The lawmakers argued that his actions seemed to go against public service rules, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, and a presidential directive that requires political appointees and public officials seeking elective office to resign by 31 March.
Although Mr Sulaiman later pulled out of the governorship race to promote peace and unity in Kwara State, lawmakers said there were still concerns about his involvement in politics while in a sensitive public role. The House instructed its Committee on Legislative Library, Research and Documentation to look into the allegations and report back in one week.

Reps Call for Rescue of Abducted Individuals

Lawmakers also urged immediate action to free schoolchildren, teachers, and worshippers kidnapped in Oyo, Borno, and Ekiti states.
Through separate motions of urgent public importance, they expressed worries about the rising number of kidnappings and attacks on schools and communities across the country.
Olamijuwonlo Alao-Akala (APC, Oyo) highlighted the kidnapping of over 30 pupils and teachers from three schools in Orire Local Government Area on 16 May. He also mentioned the killing of a teacher, Michael Oyedokun.
Midala Balami (APC, Borno) raised alarms over the reported kidnapping of 42 schoolchildren in Borno State. He warned that the ongoing insecurity was affecting education and increasing fear among residents.
Likewise, Kolawole Akinlayo, from Ekiti North Federal Constituency, called on security agencies to do more to rescue worshippers kidnapped during a deadly church attack on 28 April when gunmen attacked an open-air church event and shot at congregants.
After discussing the motions, the House urged the federal government and security agencies to step up efforts to secure the release of all abducted pupils, teachers, worshippers, and others currently in captivity.