Kingsley Chinda quits as Reps minority leader, joins APC

Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has officially stepped down from his position. He has also left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, announced Mr Chinda’s resignation and defection during a plenary session on Tuesday. This came as lawmakers returned to work after a four-week break.

The break gave members the chance to go back to their constituencies and take part in their political parties’ primary elections for the upcoming 2027 general elections.

This announcement puts an end to weeks of speculation about Mr Chinda’s political future. He took part in the APC governorship primary in Rivers State without publicly resigning from the PDP or his role as minority leader.

Details from Mr Chinda’s resignation letter show that he left the position effective from April 23.

In the letter he addressed to the speaker, Mr Chinda thanked everyone for the chance to serve as leader of the opposition caucus in the House.

"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.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to evolve under your leadership and alongside distinguished colleagues in advancing democratic governance and national development.

"I remain fully committed to my duties as a member of the House. I will continue to support the work of the legislature in every way possible," the letter stated.

Even though the announcement was significant, Mr Chinda was not present during Tuesday’s session when the speaker informed lawmakers about his resignation.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Chinda had not made a formal announcement of his defection on the House floor before taking part in the APC primary election for the 2027 Rivers governorship.

The newspaper also spoke to the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP faction close to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He confirmed that Mr Chinda had left the PDP before buying the APC governorship nomination form and joining the party’s primary.

However, there was no official word about his resignation or defection during the plenary before the House went on break.

This situation has sparked discussions in political and legislative circles, especially since Mr Chinda held a key opposition position in the House.

Critics have questioned if he could still hold the minority leader position after leaving the party that nominated him.

In response to PREMIUM TIMES’ earlier report, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi said that Mr Chinda had informed the House leadership of his resignation before the recess started.

Mr Rotimi noted that the speaker’s office had received Mr Chinda’s resignation letter. He emphasized that neither the Constitution, the Electoral Act, nor the House Standing Orders require such letters to be read during plenary.

"Chinda actually sent his resignation. The leadership of the House and the office of the Speaker duly received that letter. The House has been on recess since," Mr Rotimi said.

He explained that while lawmakers often announce defections during plenary, this is more about tradition than any legal requirement.

"It is not a constitutional provision, it is not a provision of the Electoral Act, and it is not in the House rules that it is compulsory that a resignation letter from a party should be read on the floor," he said.

Mr Rotimi added that resigning from a political party is mainly a party issue that takes effect at the member’s local levels.

He also mentioned that questions about whether Mr Chinda should have kept the minority leader position could only be properly evaluated after the House resumes.

New Chapter Ahead

Tuesday’s announcement clears the air and confirms that Mr Chinda has left both his PDP membership and his role as leader of the opposition in the House.

His exit marks a major political shift in the House of Representatives as the 2027 general election approaches. This is significant given his prominence in the PDP and his status as a leading opposition figure in the National Assembly.

All eyes will now be on the PDP caucus in the House as they start talks to choose a new minority leader to fill the gap left by Mr Chinda’s resignation.

Mr Chinda is among several politicians from Rivers State who have recently joined the APC as the political landscape in the state continues to change ahead of the next elections.