The lawmaker representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere, has been nominated as the Minority Leader of the House.

Ugochinyere was nominated by 61 members of the House from different political parties.

It will be recalled that Ugochinyere defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the Action Peoples Party, APP, in January.

DAILY POST reports that following the development, Ugochinyere will succeed Kingsley Chinda, the lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor federal constituency in Rivers State, who vacated the minority leader position after defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and emerging as the party’s governorship candidate for Rivers State.

In a letter dated June 3, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, the lawmakers, comprising members of 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 and Accord, said the nomination reflected the preference of the majority of opposition members in the green chamber.

The lawmakers who signed the 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), and Nnabuife Clara (APGA, Anambra).

Others are 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), Alexanda 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), and Adetunji Olusoji (ACCORD, Osun).

Also on the list are 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).

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has faulted ex-governor Ayodele Fayose for endorsing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, insisting that the governor’s performance does not justify such support.

Oluyede spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, where he dismissed suggestions that Fayose’s political weight would significantly influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

While acknowledging Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice, the PDP chieftain maintained that the former governor had made the wrong political judgment by throwing his weight behind the incumbent administration.

According to him, endorsements should be based on measurable achievements and governance outcomes, arguing that the current administration has fallen short of expectations in critical areas, particularly security and infrastructure.

“I respect Fayose and his right to support whoever he wants. We have no personal issues. But if you ask me, he has made the wrong choice in supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

The governorship hopeful expressed surprise that Fayose would endorse the administration despite what he described as glaring governance deficiencies.

He argued that the benchmark for evaluating government performance should be much higher, adding that the endorsement raises questions about the standards being applied in assessing the administration.

“I am disappointed because it suggests that the threshold for endorsing a government has become very low. If you look at the realities on the ground, particularly in security and public service delivery, there is little basis for such an endorsement,” he stated.

Oluyede, however, ruled out any confrontation with the former governor over his political position, saying Fayose is entitled to his convictions just as others are entitled to theirs.

He stressed that the forthcoming governorship election would ultimately be determined by the people of Ekiti State rather than by endorsements from political leaders.

“The people will decide. This election will not be won by endorsements or political declarations. Ekiti people are intelligent and will assess the performance of those seeking their mandate,” he said.

The PDP candidate also used the opportunity to raise concerns about the security situation in the state, alleging that many residents now live in fear due to increasing criminal activities.

He criticised what he described as government’s inadequate response to security challenges, poor condition of police facilities and the lack of modern security infrastructure needed to effectively combat crime.

According to him, no government can claim success when citizens are afraid to move freely or attend social and community functions.

Oluyede further questioned the utilisation of security votes allocated to the state, insisting that greater transparency and accountability are needed in the management of public resources devoted to security.

On national politics, he reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, stating that his backing for the President predates current political alignments and is based on his belief that Tinubu remains the best person to lead Nigeria at this time.

He recalled supporting Tinubu’s presidential ambition before joining the APC, insisting that his position was driven by conviction rather than political expediency.

While acknowledging the economic and governance challenges facing the country, Oluyede maintained that the President’s efforts would yield greater results if state governments effectively translated available resources into improved security, infrastructure and public services for citizens.

A national leader of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, on Thursday challenged President Bola Tinubu to resign before the 2027 general elections in view of the high level of security in the country.

Baba-Ahmed, a former aide to Tinubu, said the President has failed to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the former presidential aide urged Nigerians to reject Tinubu in the 2027 election.

He said, “It’s clear Tinubu has no handle on the escalating menace. Everything that needed to be said by the media, National Assembly, and civil societies have been said, but Tinubu and his supporters believe that this is a problem that we can live with.

“They suggested it by their body language, everywhere they can and children are stolen, every inch of Nigeria is now vulnerable.

“In a civilized society, Tinubu’s record on insecurity should have cost him his seat a long time ago, it’s not too late to say that President Tinubu should resign. If you check what he’s doing between now and the election, we don’t even need to wait, we will reject him.”

The former presidential aide maintained that his call for Tinubu to resign is not confrontational and partisan.

“Do we need to wait until more children and the country is overrun by criminality? The position that Tinubu should resign, there is nothing wrong or partisan or confrontation in that statement.

“In a democratic setting, the President performs two basic tasks, one is to protect the citizens and the other is to protect the means.

“Now Tinubu has failed to protect anybody, again, like I said, every part of Nigeria is now vulnerable. Children and toddlers in school are being stolen, what do you say to a president who has failed?

“Sir you cannot run this country so please step down. It’s not a party thing, it’s not a confrontational thing but the right thing to do,” he added.