Chinda dumps PDP for APC, quits Reps Minority Leader role
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday read a letter announcing the defection of the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection letter, which was read during plenary, was dated April 23, 2026. Following the announcement, Chinda formally resigned from his position as Minority Leader of the House.
Chinda, a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently secured the APC governorship ticket for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He emerged as the party’s candidate after Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and George Kelly withdrew from the governorship contest.
The development marks a significant shift in the political landscape of Rivers State, where Chinda has remained a prominent figure within the PDP before his latest move to the ruling party.
Apart from Chinda’s defection, the House also recorded several other changes in party affiliation among its members during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, representing Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, defected from the PDP to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Similarly, Adedeji Stanley Olajide, who represents Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, also left the PDP for the APM.
Makanjuola Sunday Ojo, representing Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency of Oyo State, likewise defected from the PDP to the APM, bringing the number of lawmakers who switched from the opposition party to the APM during the session to three.
