Political Earthquake In House As Minority Leader Chinda, Seven Others Dump PDP

June 02, (MEDIA TODAY) — The House of Representatives was thrown into political turbulence on Tuesday, following the formal announcement of the defection of the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside a wave of other lawmakers who also switched on party affiliations.

The Speaker of the House, while presiding over plenary, read a letter informing members of the decision of Hon. Kingsley Chinda to leave the PDP for the APC. The letter, which was dated April 23, 2026, formally notified the House of his political realignment.

Following the announcement, Chinda immediately stepped down from his position as Minority Leader, marking a significant shift in the leadership structure of the opposition caucus in the House.

Chinda, a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is also a key figure in Rivers State Politics. He recently emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

His emergence came after the withdrawal of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governorship candidate Tonye Cole, and George Kelly, paving the way for what party insiders described as a consensus candidacy.

Beyond Chinda’s dramatic exit, the House also witnessed a series of defections involving members from multiple constituencies, deepening concerns over party stability in the legislature.

In Oyo State, Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju (Ibarapa North Federal Constituency) defected from the PDP to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). Similarly, Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide (Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West Federal Constituency) also left the PDP for the APM, alongside Hon. Makanjuola Sunday Ojo (Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency).

Others who followed suit include Hon. Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency), Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle (Ibadan North Federal Constituency), and Hon. Abass Adekunle Adigun (Ibadan North-East/Ibadan South-East Federal Constituency), all from Oyo State, who also dumped the PDP for the APM.

From Bauchi State, Hon. Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe (Katagum Federal Constituency) also resigned membership of the PDP to join the APM.

In a contrasting move, Hon. Etanabene Benedict, representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP, indicating a minor counterflow amid the broader opposition losses.