Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The political landscape of the House of Representatives shifted dramatically on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, as the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, formally resigned from his position and announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who read Chinda’s resignation letter dated 23 April 2026. The move brings to an end weeks of speculation surrounding the Rivers State lawmaker’s political future after he participated in the APC governorship primary in Rivers State without publicly resigning from either the PDP or his minority leadership role.
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, is a known political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He emerged as the sole governorship candidate of the APC for Rivers State on 21 May 2026 after three other aspirants – Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former APC candidate Tonye Cole, and George Kelly – stepped down from the race. The APC declared him winner after he polled 268,497 votes. His emergence came just days after he had participated in the APC governorship primary, raising questions about his continued leadership of the opposition caucus in the House.
In his resignation letter addressed to the Speaker, Chinda wrote: “I formally tender my resignation from the position of Minority Leader of the House of Representatives with effect from the 23rd day of April 2026. It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve in this capacity, representing the collective interest of the minority caucus and contributing to the legislative work of the House.” He also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under the Speaker’s leadership and alongside distinguished colleagues.
The announcement followed intense criticism from political observers and human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu, who described Chinda’s simultaneous role as minority leader and APC governorship candidate as “organised crime” and a symptom of what he called the “Tinubu system”. Odinkalu noted on his verified X handle that for over three years, Chinda had been the face of the PDP in the Green Chamber, yet had no record of resignation or removal from the PDP before flying the APC flag. His comments highlighted the legal and ethical questions surrounding the lawmaker’s political realignment.
The development came on the same day that six House of Representatives members from Oyo State also defected from the PDP to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in what is widely seen as a show of solidarity with Governor Seyi Makinde, who recently joined the APM and has been ratified as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election. In total, 13 lawmakers announced changes in party affiliation during Tuesday’s plenary, reflecting a broader wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Legal experts and political commentators have noted that Chinda’s delayed resignation and defection may have legal implications, particularly regarding the validity of his participation in the APC primary while still officially a member of the PDP. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the courts may yet be called upon to rule on the matter. However, with his formal resignation and defection now on record, Chinda has cleared the way to focus on his gubernatorial campaign in Rivers State, where he is expected to face the candidate of the PDP and other opposition parties in the 2027 election.
The House has yet to announce a successor to Chinda as minority leader. The opposition caucus is expected to hold elections to fill the vacancy in the coming weeks.
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