PDP Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda Emerges APC Governorship Candidate In Rivers

Kingsley Chinda has officially emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections, following the dramatic withdrawal of all other contenders from the race.

Chinda secured the APC ticket as the sole aspirant after Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Alabo George-Kelly all stepped down from the contest shortly before the primaries.

The chairman of the APC governorship primary committee, Kwamoti Bitrus, announced that Chinda polled 268,497 votes during the exercise conducted in Port Harcourt. He described the process as peaceful and commended party members for their participation.

Also Read : Fubara Withdraws from Rivers APC Governorship Primaries, Cites Peace and Unity

Chinda’s emergence has generated widespread political debate because he currently serves in the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He is also the Minority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives, making his participation in the APC primary one of the most unusual political developments in recent Rivers history.

Political observers believe the outcome further reinforces the growing influence of Nyesom Wike over Rivers State politics. Reports in recent weeks had suggested that influential figures within the so-called “Rainbow Coalition” were already positioning Chinda as a consensus candidate ahead of the primary.

Before the withdrawals, Governor Fubara had participated in the APC screening process alongside Chinda, fueling speculation that the contest could trigger another major confrontation within the Rivers APC structure. However, the sudden exits of rival aspirants effectively cleared the path for Chinda’s emergence.

Also Read: RIVERS STATE: THE LAST MAN STANDING How Wike Cleared the Field Without Firing a Shot by Charles Thomas

Reacting after the primary, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Chibike Ikenga said the party had become “recalibrated” and expressed confidence that Chinda’s candidacy would promote unity and development in the state.

The development marks another major twist in Rivers politics, where alliances between APC and PDP power blocs continue to blur traditional party boundaries. Chinda’s candidacy now sets the stage for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched governorship races in Nigeria ahead of 2027.