Minority Leadership: House Seals Ikenga’s Fate, Bars First-Timers From Principal Offices It’s An Act of God, I Have Been Vindicated — Agbese Reacts

Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Philip Agbese, has expressed satisfaction over the decision of the House of Representatives barring Hon.

Ikenga Ugochinyere and other first-term lawmakers from occupying principal offices in the parliament.
The House, on Wednesday, adopted a motion sponsored by the member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Babajimi Benson, which bars first-time members from holding principal offices, including positions within the minority leadership of the House.
The motion, titled “Need for a Precise Definition of Order Seven, Rule 15 of the House of Representatives,” was unanimously adopted without debate.
According to the motion, Order Seven, Rule 15 of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives provides that only members with cognate legislative experience as members of the House shall be eligible for appointment as Principal Officers.
The motion noted that parliamentary best practices across the world do not allow first-term legislators to occupy principal offices, reserving such positions for experienced lawmakers in order to preserve institutional memory, strengthen understanding of legislative procedures, and improve competence in constitutional interpretation and intergovernmental relations.
It also referenced the 10th Senate’s definition of “cognate legislative experience,” which specifies that only senators who have completed at least one full four-year term qualify, while those with multiple previous terms must have served in the immediate past Assembly.
The House further acknowledged the need to promote institutional memory, parliamentary stability and continuity, legislative experience, reduce avoidable disruptions, and encourage mature representation within international parliamentary associations.
Consequently, the House defined “cognate legislative experience” under Order Seven, Rule 15 of its Standing Orders as members who have completed at least one full four-year term. It also stated clearly that there is no other interpretation of the term beyond this definition.
Reacting to the development, Hon. Agbese described the resolution as an act of God, saying it had vindicated him.
“No one goes to heaven through the back door. The only acceptable and established route to God is through His son, Jesus Christ. The Bible is clear on that.
“Order 7 Rule 15 is also clear on how to become a Principal Officer in the House of Representatives. You must be a ranking member. You must have cognate experience. You cannot be a greenhorn and expect to lead the Minority Caucus. It is not by gathering some of your colleagues or presenting a document claiming endorsements.
“It is in the Rules of the House. You cannot smuggle yourself into an office you are not qualified for. Today’s resolution has vindicated me. It is purely an act of God. This is good for the institutional memory of our dear Parliament,” said Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency.
Recall that Hon. Ugochinyere, the member representing Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State, had informed the House during plenary last Thursday that 61 lawmakers had signed in support of his nomination for the position of Minority Leader.
However, Agbese later raised a matter of personal privilege, distancing himself from the alleged nomination and claiming that his signature had been obtained for a different purpose. He also questioned why reports in the media indicated that he had endorsed Ugochinyere.