(DDM) – Tensions are escalating within the House of Representatives’ minority caucus as moves to remove Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda intensify.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that weeks after initial efforts began to oust Chinda, citing his failure to provide effective opposition to the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led House, the leadership crisis remains unresolved.
Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State, approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to seek an injunction halting attempts to remove him.
The Minority Leader claimed the efforts were politically motivated and linked to his close relationship with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
However, Chinda’s recourse to the judiciary reportedly angered several caucus members, who convened in Abuja to discuss their next steps.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas intervened at the meeting, appealing for calm and urging lawmakers to allow him time to mediate the dispute.
Despite the Speaker’s intervention, opposition members expressed doubts over the likelihood of lasting peace within the caucus, describing the mediation as a temporary delay rather than a resolution.
An anonymous caucus member told Punch that lawmakers remained dissatisfied with Chinda’s leadership and warned that agitation to remove him would resume if no meaningful changes occurred.
“The Speaker is not a member of the opposition caucus, and that’s why some of us believe nothing will change,” the lawmaker explained.
Questions also surround Chinda’s court case, with insiders noting that he has not yet withdrawn the suit, stating he would only do so once convinced that peace has returned.
Another anonymous caucus member expressed skepticism over Chinda regaining the confidence of his colleagues, citing his closeness to Minister Wike as a barrier to impartial opposition leadership.
“If that relationship prevents him from standing up for the opposition, should we keep quiet and let things continue like this?” the source queried.
Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi is also embroiled in the controversy following a viral video in which he reportedly claimed responsibility for attracting ₦19 billion in projects under the 2024 Appropriation Act.
Some caucus members viewed Ozodinobi’s remarks as evidence of undue financial influence on leadership decisions, though he has not issued a public response.
The internal strife has drawn attention to broader questions about the effectiveness and independence of the House minority caucus in providing checks and balances to the ruling APC.
As the crisis unfolds, political observers suggest that the outcome could reshape leadership dynamics within the House, influence opposition strategy, and affect upcoming legislative negotiations.
With no clear resolution in sight, the minority caucus remains under scrutiny, highlighting internal fractures and raising concerns over the future of Nigeria’s parliamentary opposition.