The House of Representatives on Thursday unveiled a new leadership team for the minority caucus, with Bayelsa lawmaker, Hon. Frederick Agbedi, emerging as the new Minority Leader following the exit of Hon. Kingsley Chinda.
Agbedi’s emergence followed Chinda’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that created a vacuum in the opposition leadership in the Green Chamber.
The announcement was made during plenary after Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, read a letter from the minority caucus communicating the consensus nomination of new principal officers.
Under the new arrangement, Agbedi, who represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, was named Minority Leader, while Hon. Mansur Soro of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) emerged as Minority Whip. Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was appointed Deputy Minority Leader.
Part of the letter read: “The minority members of the 10th Assembly hereby unanimously nominate the following members by consensus to fill the vacant positions of the minority in the parliament.
“Hon. Frederick Agbedi as Minority Leader, Hon. Mansur Soro as Minority Whip, and Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki as Deputy Minority Leader.”
Congratulating the new officers, Speaker Abbas said their emergence had completed the minority leadership structure in the House.
“Today the body of principal officers is complete. I congratulate the three members and wish them success in their new responsibilities,” Abbas said.
He assured the new opposition leaders of the support of the House leadership in advancing the legislative agenda of the 10th National Assembly.
“The leadership of the House will work with them assiduously in ensuring that we achieve our legislative objectives,” he added.
Agbedi, one of the longest-serving lawmakers in the House, has represented Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency since 2011 and is widely respected for his legislative experience and deep understanding of parliamentary procedures.
His appointment places him at the forefront of coordinating opposition activities in the House, articulating minority positions on national issues and providing alternative viewpoints on government policies and proposed legislation.
The emergence of the new leadership comes amid growing political realignments and defections within opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The process was also influenced by recent amendments to the House Standing Orders, which introduced stricter eligibility requirements for principal officers and generated intense debate within the minority caucus.
Shortly before the announcement, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who had earlier been nominated by a majority of minority lawmakers for the Minority Leader position, formally withdrew his interest, citing the amended rules.
Political observers believe Agbedi’s emergence is expected to calm tensions within the opposition bloc and restore stability after weeks of uncertainty triggered by Chinda’s departure.
For the PDP, which remains the largest opposition party in the House despite recent defections, the appointment is seen as a strategic move to strengthen internal cohesion and maintain a strong voice in parliamentary affairs.
With Agbedi, Soro and Dasuki now in place, the minority caucus is expected to focus on uniting lawmakers across opposition parties and providing effective legislative oversight in the APC-dominated National Assembly.
