The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila’s choice of Ndudi Elumelu as minority leader of the House sparked protest among the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members.
The PDP had nominated Kingsley Chinda as the Minority Leader of the House but Gbajabiamila announced Elumelu instead amidst protest by many lawmakers.
It is believed the Speaker did it on purpose to spit the PDP leadership and some powerful interests.
The opposition party had in a letter announced Chinda as its leader in the House.
The party’s decision was contained in a letter dated June 26 and addressed to the speaker.
An acknowledged copy of the letter sighted was signed by its National Chairman, Uche Secondus, and its Secretary, Umar Tsauri.
A similar letter from the party was sent to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, on the party’s choice of Eyinnaya Abaribe as its Minority Leader.
Gbajabiamila, unlike his Senate counterpart, announced different names for the various minority leadership positions.
The PDP is the largest minority party in the House. Both Chinda and Elumelu are members of the opposition party.
The PDP had asked its members to vote against Gbajabiamila when the latter was contesting for the House leadership position.
It is not clear if the speaker’s action of Wednesday was his way of getting back at the opposition party.