The political atmosphere has become more charged in various states of Nigeria as the All Progressives Congress gets ready for its Governorship primaries today Thursday 21 May 2026.
In Rivers State, major Governorship Aspirants of the party, Governor SIM Fubara, Tonye Cole and then Dr George Kelly withdrew from the race on Wednesday 20 May while citing peace, unity, and stability of Rivers State as reasons for their decisions.
The development however has poised the House of Representatives Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda to emerge APC Consensus candidate of the party. Hon. Chinda, who currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party, appeared before the APC screening committee on Saturday and had been cleared by the All Progressives Congress to contest the party’s governorship primary in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections..
His participation in the ruling party’s screening process has intensified speculation of a defection from the PDP, though he has not publicly confirmed any move.
The lawmaker is one of two prominent allies of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike tipped to contest the Rivers governorship race on the APC platform. According to reports, Wike’s Rainbow Coalition has backed George-Kelly for the APC ticket and Chinda for the PDP ticket as part of a broader political arrangement for 2027.
Chinda’s screening has also raised questions about party loyalty and legislative ethics, given his current role as PDP Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.
Critics argue that holding a minority leadership position while contesting on the platform of the ruling party could create constitutional and political complications.
