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…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.

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Read details of how former Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu’s sister, children were abducted in Oyo during an early morning ambush in the state capital.

The victims have been identified as 43-year-old Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul—the younger sister of the Adelabu—and her 12-year-old twin sons, Peter and Paul.

According to an official statement released by Adelabu’s media aide, Comrade Femi Awogboro, the terrifying incident occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Mrs. John-Paul was conducting a routine school run, driving her children from the Elewura area in Challenge, Ibadan, to link up with the expressway.

Confirming the abduction of Adelabu’s sister and children, Awogboro, said, “The family of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and leading governorship aspirant of APC in Oyo State, wishes to formally confirm the unfortunate kidnapping of his younger sister, Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, alongside her twin sons, Peter and Paul, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026.

“Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Mrs. Adegoke John-Paul is the youngest of the five children of Mrs. Olufunmilayo Aduke Adegoke Adelabu. Until her voluntary retirement last year, she had served meritoriously at both the Central Bank of Nigeria and First Bank Pension Custodian.

“Following her retirement, she relocated to Ibadan with her children while making preparations to eventually join her husband, Mr. John Paul, who had earlier relocated to the United States of America.”

“Mrs. John-Paul, aged 43, was reportedly abducted by gunmen at about 7:30 a.m. while on her way to drop her children at school in Ibadan. The abductors also forcefully took away her 12-year-old twin sons, who were with her at the time of the incident.

“Immediately the incident was reported, all relevant security and law enforcement agencies were duly contacted. We are pleased to confirm that security operatives have swung into action and preliminary investigations have commenced in earnest. Efforts are currently ongoing to ensure the safe rescue of the victims and the apprehension of those responsible for this heinous crime.

“Adebayo Adelabu and the entire family are deeply distressed by this tragic development but remain hopeful and confident in the capacity of the security agencies to secure the safe release of Mrs. John-Paul and her children,” the statement read.

The family, therefore, appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid speculation, and refrain from circulating unverified information that may jeopardise ongoing security operations.

It also solicited prayers and support from well-meaning Nigerians during this difficult period.

The family further urged anyone with useful information that may assist security agencies in their investigation to promptly report such information through the appropriate channels.

The statement added, “The family will continue to cooperate fully with security authorities and will provide further updates as events unfold.

Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that the abduction of Adelabu’s sister and children in Oyo State comes days after over 40 teachers and students were kidnapped on Friday, May 15, 2026, during a coordinated attack at Ahoro-Esiele in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

It will also be recalled that a chieftain of APC in the state, Wale Oriade, was abducted by armed men in Ibadan, the state capital, in December, 2025.

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has provided 48 vein finders and accompanying accessories for distribution to the 14 SHF under the Hospitals Management Board (HMB).

Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday, quoted the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, as saying that the equipment, which she described as “very essential to health-care delivery” were provided through the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

She said the advanced medical devices were aimed at improving patient care by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of venous access procedures.

“Vein finders assist healthcare professionals in locating veins for intravenous (IV) cannulation and insertion, facilitating blood sample collection (venipuncture), reducing multiple needle attempts, and improving access to veins in patients with difficult venous anatomy, particularly children, elderly persons, and obese patients.

These machines will make it easy to access a patient’s vein in a quick, painless manner. It will also make it possible for newly trained doctors to set up intravenous access without multiple needle pricks especially for children, thereby making hospital visits less traumatic for patients.

The devices will also help assess superficial vein patterns and contribute to greater clinical efficiency and accuracy.

As part of the distribution exercise, a practical training session was conducted for representatives and relevant healthcare personnel from the beneficiary hospitals. The training focused on the proper handling, application, operation, and maintenance of the vein finders and their accessories to ensure optimal utilization, sustainability, and maximum benefit to patients.

In addition, an in-house practical training was conducted for the representatives and relevant healthcare personnel to enhance their knowledge and capacity in the operation, application, maintenance, and safe handling of the equipment, ensuring effective deployment and long-term sustainability across all beneficiary facilities.

The initiative underscores the commitment of the FCT Administration, under Wike, to equipping healthcare facilities with modern technologies that enhance service delivery, improve patient experience, and support healthcare professionals in providing quality care.