Rivers APC Guber Candidate Kingsley Chinda Resigns As Reps Minority Leader

Rivers state lawmaker, Kingsley Chinda has resigned as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during plenary when Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read Chinda’s resignation letter, which was dated April 23, 2026.

In the letter, Kingsley Chinda said it had been a great privilege to serve as Minority Leader.

“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,” the letter reads.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work under your leadership and alongside distinguished colleagues in advancing democratic governance and national development.”

Despite leaving the leadership position, Chinda said he is “fully committed” to his duties as a member of the green chamber and will “continue to support the work of the legislature in every way possible”.

Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State, did not indicate whether he had also left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

On May 21, 2026, Chinda, a political ally of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

His participation in the APC screening process before the party’s governorship primary generated debate because he had not publicly announced a move from the PDP to the APC.

Meanwhile, a faction of the APC in Rivers State led by Emeka Beke declared Chinda’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate invalid on Monday.

ALSO READ: Governor Siminalayi Fubara Withdraws From Rivers APC Governorship Primary