(Ikenga Ugochinyere. Photo by Premuim Times)
Ikenga Ugochinyere, the lawmaker representing the Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, has been nominated as the Minority Leader of the House, following a endorsement by 61 members drawn from various opposition parties.
Ugochinyere, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Peoples Party (APP) in January, is set to step into the role vacated by Kingsley Chinda, the lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State.
Chinda left the minority leader position after crossing over to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and emerging as the party’s governorship candidate for Rivers State, according to reports making rounds on social media.
In a letter dated June 3, 2026, addressed to House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, the 61 lawmakers who endorsed the nomination stated that it reflects the collective preference of the majority of opposition members in the lower chamber.
The signatories represent a broad coalition of opposition parties including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Labour Party (LP), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Accord.
Among the lawmakers who signed the nomination letter are Ugochinyere (APP, Imo), Aliyu Abdullahi (ADC, Kaduna), Aniekwe Udogalanya (NDC, Anambra), Shehu Dalhatu (PDP, Katsina), Aliyu Misau (APM, Bauchi), Matthew Nwogu (APP, Imo), Ojo Makanjuola (APM, Oyo), Anthony Adepoju (APM, Oyo), Isah Ambarura (ADC, Sokoto), Sani Noma (ADC, Kebbi), Umar Zakari (NDC, Kano), Adamu Wakili (NDC, Kano), Datti Umar (NDC, Kano), Abdulhakeem Ado (NDC, Kano), Philip Agbese (LP, Benue), Dahiru Sarki (SDP, Nasarawa), Thaddeus Attah (NDC, Lagos), Gwacham Chinwe (APGA, Anambra), Obinna Aguocha (LP, Abia), Nnabuife Clara (APGA, Anambra), Peter Uzokwe (NDC, Anambra), Emeka Obiajulu (NDC, Anambra), Oyedeji Oyeshina (APM, Oyo), Joshua Obika (NDC, FCT), Okonkwo Harris (NDC, Anambra), Oluwande George (NDC, Lagos), Jesse Onuakalusi (NDC, Lagos), Oladebo Omoleye (Accord, Osun), Mudashiru Alani (Accord, Osun), Mani Katami (ADC, Sokoto), Usman Basiru (ADC, Sokoto), Ibe Osonwa (LP, Abia), Alexandra Ikwechegh (LP, Abia), Omoruyi Osaro (NDC, Edo), Aliyu Garu (APM, Bauchi), Auwalu Gwalabe (APM, Bauchi), Hashimu Adamu (APM, Bauchi), Akanni Ademola (Accord, Osun), Adewale Adebayo (Accord, Osun), Adetunji Olusoji (Accord, Osun), Okafor Ifeanyi (APGA, Anambra), Onwusibe Obinna (LP, Abia), Zubairu Usman (ADC, Kaduna), Abdulmaleek Danga (PDP, Kogi), Oluwaseyi Sowumi (NDC, Lagos), Madawaki Dahiru (PDP, Jigawa), Sani Tanko (APM, Bauchi), Umar Yabo (ADC, Sokoto), Bello el-Rufai (ADC, Kaduna), Ajilo Shehu (ADC, Kaduna), Yahaya Richifa (ADC, Kaduna), Gana Audu (PDP, Niger), Abel Fuoh (PDP, Taraba), Sani Lawal (ADC, Katsina), Fola Oyekunle (APM, Oyo), Amobi Ogah (LP, Abia), Adamu Yakubu (PDP, Jigawa), Abdullahi El-Rasheed (ADC, Gombe), Esosa Iyame (NDC, Edo), Bala Rabiu (PDP, Bauchi), and Abubakar Zango (ADC, Adamawa).