Rivers State governorship candidate and current Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read a letter on the floor of the Green Chamber on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, notifying lawmakers of Chinda’s decision to leave the PDP for the ruling party. The letter, dated April 23, 2026, also included his formal resignation from his position as Minority Leader of the House.
Chinda’s defection and resignation come against the backdrop of his emergence as the APC governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections. He secured the APC ticket after other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, withdrew from the race, positioning him as a leading contender from the ruling party.
The development has triggered significant political reactions and controversy. Some legal and political analysts have raised questions about the timing and legality of his defection and continued role in the House, prompting legal actions challenging the recognition of his APC candidacy and compliance with constitutional provisions for defection.
Chinda’s move is part of a broader pattern of political realignments within the federal legislature, with several lawmakers notifying the House of their party changes during the same sitting. The shift highlights growing turbulence within Nigeria’s party politics as the country heads toward the 2027 elections.
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