A fresh crisis is unfolding in the House of Representatives as opposition lawmakers push to unseat Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda.
The development comes just as the National Assembly prepares to resume on October 7 after a two-month recess.
Sources revealed that the move is part of a broader power tussle among opposition members from parties such as the PDP, Labour Party, NNPP, ADC, SDP, APGA, and YPP.
The rift has created deep divisions in the minority caucus, with many members accusing Chinda of running a “one-man show.”
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State, is a close ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
He has reportedly gone to court to stop what he describes as an illegal attempt to remove him from office.
Chinda turns to court for protection
In his suit before a Federal High Court in Abuja, Chinda alleged that some lawmakers were plotting to oust him due to his relationship with Wike.
He claimed the move violated his right to freedom of association as guaranteed by the Constitution.
The case lists multiple defendants, including the House of Representatives, the National Assembly, the Speaker, the Clerks of both chambers, and seven political parties representing the minority bloc.
Through his lawyer, J.Y. Musa (SAN), Chinda asked the court to restrain all parties from acting against him without following the House’s Standing Orders, which outline due process for leadership changes.
He insisted that any attempt to remove him outside these rules would be unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Opposition caucus leaders express frustration
Meanwhile, the PDP caucus leader, Fred Agbedi, admitted that internal grievances exist but denied knowledge of any removal plot.
He said the real issue was Chinda’s failure to call meetings for nearly two years, which has caused growing unease among opposition members.
Agbedi disclosed that House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas had already intervened and promised to convene a meeting after the resumption to address the crisis.
“We can’t operate without coming together,” Agbedi said, adding that he had personally urged Chinda to reunite the caucus.
However, Agbedi expressed surprise that even while discussions were ongoing, Chinda had already filed the court case, which he said caught many colleagues off guard.
Minority lawmakers summon emergency meeting
In reaction to the deepening rift, leaders of the various minority caucuses have called for an emergency meeting in Abuja to deliberate on the matter.
The notice, signed by Fred Agbedi (PDP), Afam Ogene (LP), Muktar Umar-Zakari (NNPP), and Peter Uzokwe (YPP), said the meeting would focus on Chinda’s lawsuit and the state of minority leadership in the 10th House of Representatives.
As the National Assembly reconvenes, all eyes are now on how the opposition will navigate its internal crisis — one that could reshape the balance of power within the lower chamber.
