The bid by the member representing Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Ugochinyere, to emerge as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives has effectively come to an end following a decision by the House to define what constitutes “cognate legislative experience” for principal officers.

The development came on Wednesday after the House considered and adopted a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Mr Babajimi Benson, during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

The office of Minority Leader became vacant following the defection of former occupant, Kingsley Chinda, to the All Progressives Congress and his subsequent emergence as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Rivers State.

Ugochinyere’s ambition had gathered momentum last week, particularly after 61 lawmakers reportedly endorsed his candidacy. The endorsement, however, sparked controversy, with allegations of forged signatures and claims of financial inducement flying from different quarters.

Seeking the House’s intervention, Benson moved a motion titled, “Need for a precise definition of Order Seven, Rule 15 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives.”

Explaining the rationale behind the motion, the Lagos lawmaker recalled that Order Seven, Rule 15 provides that only members with cognate legislative experience as members of the House of Representatives shall be eligible for appointment as principal officers.

He argued that parliamentary traditions around the world favour experienced legislators for leadership positions.

According to him, global parliamentary best practices “rule out first-term parliamentarians from holding Principal Offices and reserve Principal Offices for experienced legislators to promote institutional memory, deepen understanding of legislative processes, and enhance competence in constitutional interpretation and intergovernmental relations.”

Benson further reminded lawmakers that “The 10th Senate has recently specifically defined ‘cognate legislative experience’ to mean ‘Senators who have completed at least one full four-year term,'” adding that “Those with multiple previous terms must have served in the immediate past Assembly.”

He stressed the need for the House to “prioritise institutional memory, deepen parliamentary stability and continuity, legislative experience, minimise avoidable turbulence and promote matured representation in the comity of international parliamentary associations.”

The motion was seconded by the member representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Peter Uzokwe.

An attempt by Uzokwe to introduce an amendment was, however, ruled out by the Speaker on the grounds that the question had already been put and voted upon by members.

Following its adoption, the House resolved that cognate legislative experience, as envisaged by Order Seven, Rule 15 of its Standing Orders, means “members who have completed at least one full four-year term.”

The lawmakers further declared “that there is no other definition to the term ‘cognate legislative experience’ other than as stated.”

Raising a point of order after the resolution was adopted, the member representing Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency of Rivers State, Solomon Bob, argued that the motion was unnecessary and could potentially limit the Speaker’s authority.

“Mr Speaker, this motion is not necessary. We are, in fact, restricting your powers to interpret our rules,” Bob said.

Responding, Abbas acknowledged the concern but defended the House’s decision to take ownership of the interpretation.

“I understand, but I cede that power to the House,” the Speaker replied.

The resolution has significant implications for the contest to fill the Minority Leader’s seat.

Ugochinyere, who was first elected to the House in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party before later defecting to the Action Peoples Party, is serving his first term in the National Assembly.

By adopting a definition that requires a lawmaker to have completed at least one full four-year term before becoming eligible for appointment as a principal officer, the House has effectively shut the door on the Imo lawmaker’s aspiration to lead the minority caucus in the current 10th Assembly.

The decision is expected to reshape the race for the position, with attention now shifting to ranking opposition lawmakers who meet the newly affirmed eligibility requirement and may emerge as contenders for one of the most influential offices in the House. (PUNCH)