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JUST IN: Opposition Lawmakers Rally Behind Ugochinyere for Reps Minority Leader Seat
…as 61 of 81 minority members back him as successor to Chinda
By Gloria Ikibah
A major political realignment appears to be taking shape in the House of Representatives, with a majority of opposition lawmakers reportedly throwing their weight behind Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere as the next Minority Leader of the Green Chamber.
The development follows the vacancy created by the departure of former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after emerging as the governorship candidate of the ruling party in Rivers State.
According to documents made available to naijablitznews.com, 61 out of the 81 lawmakers in the opposition bloc have endorsed Ugochinyere as their preferred candidate for the position and have formally submitted their nomination to Speaker Abbas Tajudeen ahead of an expected announcement.
The endorsement cuts across several opposition parties, including the National Democratic Congress (NDC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Accord Party, Action People’s Party (APP) and Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
Sources within the minority caucus said the nomination was made in line with the provisions of the House Standing Orders, which empower minority members to elect their own leader.
Lawmakers involved in the process expressed optimism that the Speaker will act on the nomination and formally announce the new leadership structure of the opposition caucus in the coming days.
They also disclosed that consultations had been concluded on other vacant leadership positions within the minority bloc, including Deputy Minority Leader and Minority Whip, with one of the positions already allocated to a member of the NDC from the North-West.
According to the lawmakers, the remaining nominations are currently being harmonised and will be transmitted to the Speaker for formal recognition.
Explaining their support for Ugochinyere, members of the opposition caucus pointed to what they described as his strong legislative performance since joining the House. They noted that he had sponsored and championed more than 40 bills, motions and petitions within three years and had previously served for four years as Senior Adviser to the President of the Senate.
The lawmakers argued that parliamentary leadership is determined by majority support rather than sentiment, maintaining that the opposition caucus had exercised its constitutional right to choose its leader.
They further cited previous instances in the National Assembly where lawmakers elected leaders outside party zoning arrangements, insisting that legislative precedent favours democratic choice by members rather than predetermined political calculations.
The lawmakers also expressed readiness to work closely with members of the ruling party in advancing legislative business and delivering on the expectations of Nigerians.
With the nomination now before the Speaker, attention has shifted to the House leadership for formal confirmation of the opposition’s choice, a move that would complete the process of filling one of the most influential positions in the National Assembly following Chinda’s exit.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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