Court Restrains National Assembly, Speaker Over Minority Leadership Dispute

The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an interim injunction restraining the National Assembly, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and several political parties from taking further steps on the contentious issue of minority leadership in the Green Chamber.

The order was granted by Justice J.O. Abdulmalik in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1936/2025, filed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State, dragged the National Assembly, its Clerk, the House of Representatives, the Speaker, and the Clerk of the House to court, alongside ten political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Young Progressives Party (YPP).

In his motion ex parte, filed on September 16, 2025, Chinda prayed the court to restrain the defendants from interfering with or altering the composition of the minority leadership of the House pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Justice Abdulmalik, in granting the application, issued an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from taking any action that could affect the subject matter of the suit until the court has heard the case.

The case, which has generated intense political interest, comes amid mounting internal wrangling among opposition parties in the House of Representatives over control of the minority leadership.

The interim order effectively freezes any attempt by the Speaker or the House leadership to recognize or impose a new minority caucus leadership until the substantive matter is resolved.

Legal analysts say the ruling underscores the judiciary’s growing role in mediating power struggles within Nigeria’s legislature, particularly in an era of heightened political realignments.

The matter has been adjourned for further hearing.