89 Lawmakers Vow to Resist House Minority Leader’s Impeachment

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Eighty-nine members of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives have vowed to resist the planned impeachment of the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

The lawmakers under the aegis of Active Minority threw their weight behind the embattled minority leader following plans by some minority lawmakers to replace Chinda over allegations of not providing leadership and working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), being a close confidant of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

But the pro-Chinda lawmakers led by a PDP member from one of the Northern states has also been meeting in Abuja ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, October 7th.

A member of the Active Minority, who was privy to the meetings, spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were prepared to counter the moves by certain interests in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“We have stumbled on a plot by certain leaders in the PDP and ADC to replace the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda. His only sin is the allegations that he is close to the FCT minister, Chief Wike.

“But I can assure you, we are ready for those sponsored to come to the floor and execute this insidious plan. Our group, the Active Minority, is prepared to resist this because Hon. Chinda has discharged his responsibilities as an opposition leader very well.

“As I speak with you, the Active Minority has a membership strength of 89 honourable members and more honourable members are identifying with us. Mind you, the entire opposition lawmakers are about 140 and we have an overwhelming majority to counter any undemocratic move,” he said.

Asked about the list of the Active Minority, the lawmaker said, “We are keeping our identities under wraps until the House resumes. We don’t want to let the cat out of the bag now. Our strategy is also within us until we meet on the battlefield.”

The lawmaker stressed that the reasons they were supporting the minority leader was because of his unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and advocating the rights of the Nigerian people.

“Chinda has since 2023 vehemently stood against the detection of opposition lawmakers to APC. One of Chinda’s notable contributions lies in his staunch opposition to members of the opposition defecting to the ruling party, citing violations of constitutional provisions and electoral laws. 

“He has always been a strong voice drawing the attention of the leadership to at least obey the law and do what is right,” he noted.

The Minority Caucus had planned to hold an emergency meeting today to deliberate on the suit filed by Chinda, aimed at halting his planned removal.

According to the notice, the main agenda of the emergency meeting was in response to the lawsuit instituted by Chinda against all minority parties. 

The notice of the emergency meeting was jointly signed by: Hon. Agbedi Frederick, Leader, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Caucus; Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, Leader, Labour Party Caucus; Hon. Muktar Umar-Zakari, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) Caucus, and Hon. Peter Uzokwe, Leader, Young Peoples Party (YPP), respectively.

It read: “To all Minority Members of the House of Representatives. You are hereby invited to an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the minority leadership, particularly to review the lawsuit instituted by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all members of minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives.”