Fresh Crisis Brews in PDP Over Minority House Leaders

*NWC members unaware of Chinda’s emergenceChuks Okocha in Abuja

A fresh Crisis is brewing within the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the alleged emergence of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The media was awash with the election of Chinda who is the House of Representatives member representing former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, as the House leader.

Two members of the PDP contacted over the issue told THISDAY yesterday that they were not aware of the emergence of Chinda, because the party has not taken any position on the Minority offices of the National Assembly

The NEC member told THISDAY that as far as the PDP was concerned, the issue of the election or nomination of minority officers in the National Assembly was yet to be discussed.

“As far as we are concerned, our position remains the statement issued by the party on June 12 2023,” the NWC member said.

On June 12 , the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba issued a statement, stating that  the party had not directed the appointment of the minority leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives yet.

According to the party, “For clarity, the PDP is on the same page with our lawmakers-elect in focusing, for now, on maximizing our numerical strength with other opposition Parties to determine the emergence of the Presiding Officers of the two chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 and will not allow any distractions at this moment.”

But on Saturday morning, it was reported that Chinda had emerged as the Minority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives.

This reportedly followed the withdrawal of Hon. Oluwole Oke (PDP-Osun), who was his main contender from the race.

Ali Isah (PDP-Gombe) was also reported to have emerged the Minority Whip of the 10th Assembly of the House.

Another member of the NEC who did not want to be quoted told THISDAY that no official confirmation could be volunteered before Monday, adding that to appoint Chinda would mean rewarding Wike for his anti-party activities against the party.