. as Elumelu is rated most ranked Rep from S/S
..Chinda, Ossai, Nkem-Abonta, Yusuf, Onyeama others eye position
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has a daunting task to perform in the selection of who emerges the next minority leader of the ninth House of Representatives.
TNG findings revealed that selecting the body of principal officers in the Senate was an easy task as within 48hours the Senate minority leader and his deputy emerged, I the party had perfectly fixed it.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe was picked without much consultation as the former Abia Deputy Governor was one of the most ranked in the Senate from the South East zone.
But in the House of Representatives, it’s a different kettle of fish as there are many Reps angling for the position and posses the required cognate experience.
In order of ranking of those presently in the race, the mantle falls on Hon Ndudi Elumelu, PDP, Delta who came to the House in 2007.
The oldest in the present House is Hon Nicholas Mutu, PDP, Delta who is said not to be interested but has been in the House since 1999.
Others from South South are: Hons Leo Okuweh Ogor 2003, Essien Ayi 2003, Ndudi Elumelu 2007, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda 2011, Ossai Nicholas Ossai, 2011 and by virtue of this Elumelu is the 4th most ranked member from the zone and the first three are said not to be interested automatically making him the most ranked.
According to lawmakers from both the South-South and South East zones the issue at stake is not necessarily who should get it but who is capable of leading the opposition in the Green Chamber.
A lawmaker from the South East who spoke under the condition of anonymity told TNG that,”what we need is to strengthen the opposition bench and PDP has all it takes to do this.
‘But if they choose to apply sentiments and pick a weak bench, APC will run us over and make a mockery of us.
Another lawmaker from the South-South also spoke in the same vein noting that”if we get it wrong now we’ll all regret our action later.
“If PDP decides to do it in order of ranking well and good but if it is based on legislative experience all the men presently gunning for the position are very capable hands.
The standings of Reps gunning to lead PDP Reps:
*Ndudi ElumeluDelta, is the most ranked among South South lawmakers placing it close to his footsteps. He is a third timer with vast legislative experience. He had chaired sensitive committees in the past including that of Health in the seventh Assembly.
*Kingsley Ogundu Chinda, Rivers a third timer with enough legislative arsenal to run an opposition capable of giving APC goose pimples. He was Chairman House committee on Public Accounts in the immediate past eighth Assembly.
Uzoma Nkem-Abonta, Abia is a third timer. He contributed the highest number of bills and motions in both the seventh and eighth assemblies. He is a very versatile lawmaker.
*Tajudeen Yusuf, Kogi, former students union leader and an Economist has what it takes to lead the opposition. He is a third timer.
*Chukwuma Oyeama, Anambra is the immediate past Deputy leader of the eighth House. Soft-spoken and displays brilliance rarely in his debates.
*Pat Asadu, Enugu, a medical doctor is also in the race.
In the last Assembly, the position was zoned to the South South and from all indications it maybe still be domiciled there.
There are still other positions such as deputy leader, Chief Whip and deputy whip.
The APC is still keeping everything under wrap but for now only two lawmakers from Kano Hons Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Aminu Suleiman the comrade Rep are eyeing the position.