First-Term lawmakers barred from principal offices as Ugochinyere loses minority leader bid

The House of Representatives has barred first-term lawmakers from holding principal offices, effectively ending the minority leadership bid of Ikeagwuonu Ugochinyere.

The resolution was passed during Wednesday’s plenary following the adoption of a motion by Babajimi Benson, who represents the Ikorodu federal constituency of Lagos. The decision clarifies Order 7, Rule 15 of the House’s Standing Orders, which states that only members with “cognate legislative experience” are eligible for appointment as principal officers.

Mr Benson argued that global parliamentary best practice reserves such roles for experienced legislators to promote institutional memory, deepen understanding of legislative processes, and enhance competence. He noted that the 10th Senate had recently defined “cognate legislative experience” as completing at least one full four-year term.

The House unanimously adopted the motion when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put it to a voice vote. Consequently, “cognate legislative experience” under Order 7, Rule 15 now applies to members who have completed at least one full term.

The ruling disqualifies first-term lawmakers, including Mr Ugochinyere of the Action People’s Party (APP), who represents Ideato North and South federal constituency in Imo State. Opposition lawmakers had nominated him last week to succeed Kingsley Chinda as minority leader.

However, during Thursday’s plenary, Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesperson of the House and a Labour Party member, denied endorsing Mr Ugochinyere, alleging his signature was forged on the nomination document. Mr Ugochinyere dismissed the claim as an “outrageous lie” and later released a video to support his assertion that Mr Agbese had signed the document.