Ozodinobi Dismisses Ugochinyere's Leadership Bid as a Joke

The fight for the Minority Leadership in the House of Representatives has taken a new twist. Acting minority leader, George Ozodinobi, rejected the reported bid by Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency in Imo State. Ozodinobi called the move “a joke taken too far.”

This controversy comes after reports that about 61 lawmakers backed Ugochinyere for the position. This support followed the resignation of the former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda.

Chinda stepped down during a plenary session last week after he won the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State. His resignation left a gap in the minority leadership and sparked a new contest among opposition lawmakers.

Before Chinda's resignation, Ozodinobi was already acting as the minority leader. He was seen as a strong candidate for the official position. Speaking with The PUNCH in Abuja, Ozodinobi said that the rules of the House do not support a first-term lawmaker wanting a principal office.

He stated, “We have a tradition in our House Rules that a first timer cannot constitute a nuisance to the extent of aspiring for a principal office of the House. This is a joke taken too far.” Ozodinobi emphasized that he is not desperate to take over from Chinda.

“For me, I am not overly ambitious,” he said. The latest twist highlights divisions within the minority caucus over how to replace Chinda. While Ugochinyere's backers claim he has majority support, doubts are growing about the legitimacy of some endorsements in his nomination documents.

One of the lawmakers questioning the process is Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House. He publicly disowned the use of his signature to support Ugochinyere’s nomination. Agbese stated that his signature was used without his permission for a different purpose.

On Friday, Agbese explained that he raised this issue during plenary on Thursday under Order 6 Rule 2. He expressed his concerns about the misuse of his signature and the attempts to justify it. Agbese noted that he signed a document with Ugochinyere and another lawmaker believing it was about fair distribution of principal offices among minority parties.

In a statement to our correspondent, Agbese said, “For the avoidance of doubt, I signed a document with Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and another colleague concerning a proposal that sought equitable sharing of principal positions among minority parties in the House. At no time was I informed, nor did I consent, that the said document would be converted into or used as a nomination form for Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader.”

He added that his support was purely for fairness among opposition parties, not to endorse any individual for a leadership role. “My support was solely for fairness, inclusion, and justice among the minority caucuses, not for the endorsement of any individual for any leadership position,” he said.

Agbese described the alleged misuse of the document as a serious breach of trust. He added, “The subsequent use of my signature to support a nomination I neither approved nor endorsed constitutes a gross misrepresentation and a clear case of forgery.” He denied signing any nomination form for Ugochinyere and challenged anyone with such a document to have it analyzed.

“I challenge anyone in possession of such a document to submit it for forensic analysis. The truth must prevail,” he said. Agbese also revealed that he had reported the issue to the relevant authorities. He expressed confidence that a thorough investigation would uncover the truth.

“This matter has already been formally reported to the appropriate authorities for investigation, and I have full confidence in the institutions responsible for uncovering the truth and ensuring accountability,” he said. Agbese urged the public and political stakeholders to ignore claims that he had endorsed Ugochinyere’s bid for leadership.

“I urge the public, my constituents, and all stakeholders to disregard any false narrative suggesting that I endorsed Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere for the position of Minority Leader. Such claims are entirely untrue and misleading.” He emphasized that his actions are based on integrity and respect for proper processes.

“As a legislator and public servant, I remain committed to integrity, transparency, and the rule of law. Public trust is sacred and must never be undermined through deceit or manipulation. I appreciate the support and understanding of Nigerians and assure them that I will continue to stand for what is right, just, and in the best interest of democratic governance,” he said.

This unfolding dispute has exposed new divisions within the opposition caucus in the House. Competing interests and questions about procedures are complicating the process of choosing a new Minority Leader. This position is a key office in the House and usually represents the voice of opposition parties.