Reps minority leader opposes call for resignation of acting PDP chair

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader in the house of representatives, has distanced himself from lawmakers calling for the resignation of Umar Damagum, acting chair of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On Monday, some members of the PDP in the lower legislative chamber accused Damagum of “doctoring” the caretaker committee lists in Rivers and 10 other states.

Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato federal constituency of Imo, spoke on behalf of his colleagues at a press conference in Abuja.

Among other demands, they asked Damagum to resign his position to pave the way for a member of the PDP from the north-central to emerge as the national chairman of the party, in order to complete the tenure of Iyorchia Ayu.

Ayu was suspended from office in March 2023, after the executive members of Igyorov ward, Gboko LGA of Benue, passed a ‘vote of no confidence’ on him over alleged anti-party activities.

In a statement, Chinda, a member of the PDP, who represents Obio/Akpor federal constituency of Rivers, cautioned members to “desist from unparliamentary practices”.

The statement was jointly signed by the minority leaders of the house of representatives.

They include Ali Madaki of New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) who is deputy minority leader; Ali Isah of PDP serving as minority whip; and George Ozodinobi of Labour Party (LP) who holds the position of deputy minority whip.

“Both house of representatives minority and Peoples Democratic Party caucuses have disowned Ikenga Ugochinyere and his coalition of opposition lawmakers saying such a body is unknown to the parliament,” the statement reads.

“Our attention has been drawn to a press release by the group and states unequivocally that the minority caucus and PDP caucus dissociate themselves from the said press statement.

“The said coalition of lawmakers led by Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere is unknown to the parliament and both caucuses condemn in totality the absurd move, uncouth and unparliamentary language of the group.

“That the general public should take note that such a coalition is unknown to parliament and their demands do not represent that of the minority parties.

“The said lawmakers should desist from further misinformation of the public and be more honourable in their conduct.”