Fred Agbedi Announced as House of Representatives Minority Leader After Opposition Dispute

|By Chinwendu Nwani- Fred Agbedi announced as House of Representatives Minority Leader on Thursday after weeks of consultations, lobbying and disagreements among opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.

Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, confirmed the appointment shortly after plenary began. The announcement ended uncertainty over the leadership of the minority caucus.

Agbedi, a lawmaker from Bayelsa State and member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will now lead opposition members in the House of Representatives.

At the same time, the Speaker named Abdusamad Dasuki of Sokoto State as Deputy Minority Leader. Dasuki represents the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Meanwhile, Mansur Manu Soro from Bauchi State emerged as Minority Chief Whip. Soro is a member of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The decision came after weeks of intense consultations among opposition lawmakers. However, tensions surfaced shortly before the announcement.

A group of lawmakers, including Ikenga Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato North and South Federal Constituency in Imo State, entered the chamber chanting, “No announcement, No Sitting.”

The lawmakers demanded clarity on the minority leadership positions. Among those backing Ugochinyere’s bid for Minority Leader were Jesse Okey-Joe, Aliyu Mustapha, Afam Ogene and Aliyu Misau.

Nevertheless, the Speaker proceeded with the announcement, bringing the leadership contest to a close.

The appointment of Agbedi is expected to shape opposition strategy in the House as lawmakers prepare for future legislative debates and oversight activities.

Fred Agbedi announced as House of Representatives Minority Leader.