The race for the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, particularly in the House of Representatives, has split the minority caucus in the federal parliament. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to prevent its members from rebelling against the party line. On Thursday, a major political alliance emerged in the House, two weeks after members‑elect from minority parties formed a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This development further divided the PDP caucus, according to a correspondent’s findings last Friday.
The PDP, which holds the majority among the minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives, now finds its members at odds over an alliance between opposition members and the APC. Some opposition members‑elect, including former senior PDP lawmakers, met in Abuja to discuss using their numbers as bargaining power in negotiations with candidates for Speaker. At that meeting they unanimously adopted the slogan “10th Assembly: Greater Majority.”
Meanwhile, an APC‑PDP alliance led by Usman Kumo, representing Akko Federal Constituency, and Kingsley Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, adopted the name “Joint Task – 10th Assembly.” Chinda is a loyalist of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, the leader of the G‑5 PDP governors who allegedly allied with the APC and its presidential candidate, now president‑elect Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general elections.
The ruling APC is struggling to maintain its majority in the House. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) results, the APC has won 162 of the 325 declared seats, while seven opposition parties together hold 163 seats. Despite this, the PDP caucus, which leads the minority, has yet to present leadership for the opposition members‑elect.
A twist occurred last Thursday when an APC member and a PDP opposition member jointly issued a statement in Abuja announcing a cross‑party alliance. They claimed that 283 members‑elect had resolved to abide by the APC’s zoning plan, despite the House having 360 seats in total. In the joint statement, Kumo and Chinda said the alliance had the endorsement of governors across party lines and the National Working Committees of several parties. Serving members of the House indicated that coalition members would accept whatever zoning decision the APC makes.
However, opposition coalition leader Oluwole Oke denied knowledge of any APC‑PDP alliance, noting that various interest groups are expected to emerge at such a time. “In a parliament, we have many fora, groups, and caucuses—The Voice, The Unity Group, and others—to meet and plan to work together,” Oke said.
When approached about the development, a national officer of the PDP said the controversy over the loyalty of its members‑elect and the emergence of minority leadership would be addressed soon. The PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, did not answer calls or respond to WhatsApp messages seeking comment.
