According to a report by DAILY POST on Saturday 9th May 2026 the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, has appeared before the governorship screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant development in ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chinda’s appearance comes amid reports that he may have quietly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, although there has been no official public confirmation from either party as of the time of filing this report; His participation in the APC screening exercise has, however, further intensified speculation about shifting loyalties among key political actors in Rivers State politics.
According to party insiders, Chinda is among a growing list of aspirants seeking clearance to contest the APC governorship ticket; His political movement is also being linked to the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has remained a central figure in the evolving political dynamics between the PDP and APC, particularly in Rivers State.
Wike’s political network is believed to have encouraged several allies to align with the ruling party, a development that continues to reshape alliances ahead of the primaries; Chinda is reportedly one of two close associates of Wike who purchased nomination forms under the APC platform, alongside Dax Kelly.
Also part of the wider contest for the APC governorship ticket are prominent political figures in the state, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who is also said to have obtained nomination forms, despite ongoing political tensions within the state’s ruling structure.
Another notable aspirant is former governorship candidate Tonye Cole, who has also thrown his hat into the ring, adding further weight to what is shaping up to be a highly competitive APC primary in Rivers State.
The screening process is a key requirement ahead of the party’s primaries, designed to assess the eligibility, political standing, and internal acceptability of aspirants before the final selection of flag bearers.
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