The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, has formally stepped down from his leadership position and officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary as lawmakers resumed legislative activities after a four-week recess.
Chinda’s resignation brings to an end weeks of speculation surrounding his political future, particularly after he participated in the APC governorship primary election in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections without publicly declaring his departure from the PDP.
According to details contained in his resignation letter, the Rivers lawmaker officially relinquished his position as Minority Leader with effect from April 23, 2026.
In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Chinda expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve as the leader of the opposition caucus, describing the role as a privilege and an honour.
He thanked members of the House leadership and his colleagues for the opportunity to contribute to legislative activities and democratic governance, while reaffirming his commitment to continue serving his constituents and supporting the work of the National Assembly.
Despite the significance of the development, Chinda was absent from the chamber when Speaker Abbas formally announced his resignation and defection.
His political move had generated considerable debate in recent weeks, with critics questioning whether he could legitimately continue to occupy the office of Minority Leader after leaving the party that nominated him for the position.
The controversy intensified after reports emerged that he had purchased the APC governorship nomination form and contested in the party’s primary election in Rivers State while still being officially recognised as Minority Leader.
However, House spokesperson Akin Rotimi had earlier clarified that Chinda duly notified the House leadership of his resignation before lawmakers proceeded on recess.
Rotimi explained that neither the Constitution, the Electoral Act nor the House Standing Orders make it mandatory for a resignation or defection letter to be read on the floor of the chamber before it takes effect.
According to him, political defections are often announced during plenary as a matter of parliamentary tradition rather than a legal requirement.
Tuesday’s announcement has now effectively settled the matter, confirming Chinda’s exit from both the PDP and the opposition leadership structure in the House.
The development marks one of the most significant political realignments in the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections, given Chinda’s prominence within the opposition ranks and his influence in Rivers State politics.
Attention is now expected to shift to the PDP caucus in the House as consultations begin on the selection of a new Minority Leader to fill the vacancy created by Chinda’s resignation.
His defection also adds to the growing wave of political realignments in Rivers State, where several influential politicians have recently moved to the APC as preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum.
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