The simmering crisis within the minority caucus of the House of Representatives has boiled over ahead of tomorrow’s resumption of plenary.
Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), under threat of removal from a section of minority members, obtained an injunction stopping the leadership of the House and the Minority Caucus from removing him.
It was learnt that he is targeted for removal because of his affiliation with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
Today, members of the caucus have slated a “crucial meeting” to decide Chinda’s fate.
The meeting, billed for one of the conference rooms in the House of Representatives wing of the National Assembly, is expected to be attended by all caucus members.
The notice of the meeting was signed by leaders of four of the minority parties.
These are: Frederick Agbedi (PDP), Afam Victor Ogene (LP), Muktar Umar-Zakari (NNPP) and Peter Nzokwe (YPP).
But supporters of Chinda are not relenting. They are fighting back under the ‘Active Minority’ group, which claims to have the majority of members.
They have, in fact, prepared for a showdown with the anti-Chinda group.
Defendants in Chinda’s suit are the National Assembly, the Clerk to the National Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Clerk to the House of Representatives, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Labour Party (LP), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) and Young Progressive Party (YPP).
Justice J.O. Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction asking all parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the suit.
The notice for the meeting reads: “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.”
The items on the agenda are to prepare a “response to the lawsuit instituted by Chinda, against all minority parties and any other business (AOB).”
In an order of interim injunction, the court ordered all parties in the suit filed on behalf of Chinda by Dr. J.Y. Musa (SAN) to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the suit.
Pro-Chinda members of the minority caucus under the aegis of ‘Active Minority’ are set for a showdown with their colleagues over the removal plot.
No fewer than 89 members have thrown their weight behind Chinda, vowing to resist any attempt to remove him.
A member of the Active Minority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they were prepared to counter the moves by certain interests in the PDP and the ADC bent on replacing Chinda because of his affiliation with Wike.
He said: “We have stumbled on a plot by certain leaders in the PDP and ADC to replace Chinda. His only sin is the allegations that he is close to 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 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 members and more members are identifying with us.
“All opposition lawmakers are about 140, and we have an overwhelming majority to counter any undemocratic move.”
When asked to unveil the identities 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.”
