The Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday officially read a letter announcing the defection of the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection letter, which was dated April 23, 2026, confirmed Chinda’s formal exit from the PDP and his move to the ruling APC. Following the announcement on the floor of the House, Chinda subsequently resigned his position as Minority Leader.
Chinda, a known political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently emerged as the APC governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He secured the party’s ticket after the withdrawal of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and George Kelly, from the race. Although he was the sole aspirant, party members still participated in the affirmation process, turning out in large numbers to endorse his candidacy.
Meanwhile, the House of Representatives also witnessed a series of other defections involving lawmakers from different political parties.
Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, representing Ibarapa North Federal Constituency of Oyo State, defected from the PDP to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Adedeji Stanley Olajide, representing Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency, also moved from the PDP to the APM, while Makanjuola Sunday Ojo, representing Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency, similarly left the PDP for the APM.
Others who defected to the APM from the PDP include Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency), Folajimi Oyekunle (Ibadan North Federal Constituency), and Abass Adekunle Adigun (Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency), all from Oyo State.
Also, Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe, representing Katagum Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, defected from the PDP to the APM.
In a separate development, Etanabene Benedict, representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, left the Labour Party (LP) for the PDP.