Turaki PDP Faction’s Fred Agbedi Emerges House Minority Leader

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday announced a new leadership team for the minority caucus, naming Frederick Agbedi, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker aligned with the Kabiru Turaki faction of the party, as the new Minority Leader.

The announcement was made during plenary following nominations submitted by members of the minority caucus and endorsed by opposition lawmakers in the House.

Agbedi, who represents Ekeremor/Sagbama Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, now assumes responsibility for coordinating the activities of opposition parties in the Green Chamber and providing leadership on legislative engagements and policy debates.

Also appointed was Abdussamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, who emerged as Deputy Minority Leader.

Mansur Manu Soro of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, was named Minority Whip.

Announcing the appointments, Abbas said the nominations reflected the collective decision of members of the minority caucus and reaffirmed the House leadership’s commitment to working closely with all political blocs in the interest of effective lawmaking and democratic governance.

The Speaker expressed confidence in the ability of the new principal officers to provide strong leadership and contribute to the achievement of the legislative goals of the House of Representatives.

The emergence of Agbedi, a lawmaker associated with the Kabiru Turaki-led PDP bloc, is expected to attract political attention within opposition circles as stakeholders continue efforts to reposition the party ahead of future electoral contests.

The new minority leadership is expected to play a central role in legislative oversight, policy debates and the consideration of major national issues before the House in the coming months.