Wetin dey happen for Rivers State don scatter many heads. Kingsley Chinda, wey be Minority Leader for House of Representatives for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), don become All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for 2027 governorship race.
For APC primary wey happen for Rivers, Chinda score 268,497 votes. E be like say na only candidate because others like Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and George Kelly don withdraw. Bitrus Kwamoti wey be returning officer declare am winner.
This one don raise question: How person wey dey lead opposition for parliament go run for election under ruling party? Normally, minority leader supposed dey coordinate opposition strategy, criticise government policies and defend alternative views. But Chinda wey represent Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency for PDP, don go meet APC screening panel for Rivers.
Human rights activist Ann-kio Briggs talk say something dey wrong for APC because dem allow am run while e still dey PDP. She ask why Chinda wey dey PDP go contest for APC platform. She yarn say e buy APC ticket, not PDP ticket.
PREMIUM TIMES try reach Chinda but e no pick call or reply message. House of Representatives spokesperson Akin Rotimi no respond too.
But Haruna Jungudo, wey be National Publicity Secretary for PDP faction wey Nyesom Wike dey back, talk say Chinda don resign from PDP before e buy APC form and participate for primary. E say nobody fit contest election under different party without first resign from im former membership. E say na constitutional right.
Aaron Chukwuemeka, deputy national chairman for PDP (South), confirm say Chinda no longer PDP member. E say registration and resignation process complete before Chinda obtain APC form. E argue say no constitutional requirement wey force public declaration on floor of House before lawmaker fit join another party.
But Ini Ememobong, spokesperson for rival PDP faction, insist say Chinda never officially defect. E say Chinda and im group dey pretend to be PDP but dey support APC. E say no official notice of defection announce on floor of House before Chinda participate for APC process. E call am immoral and unprincipled.
This wahala come as PDP dey suffer leadership disputes, with rival camps wey Tanimu Turaki and Nyesom Wike dey control. Wike faction chair na Abdulrahman Mohammed.
For March 2026, House of Representatives pass amendment to Electoral Act wey go criminalise dual party membership, with fine of N10 million or two years imprisonment. But the proposal never pass Senate or get president assent, so no force of law. Under current law, dual party membership no be criminal offence. Wetin dey prohibited na dual nomination, where candidate get nomination from more than one party for same election. This legal gap allow politicians to move between parties before formal defection.
As Minority Leader, Chinda dey hold important position for opposition. If e don truly resign, many Nigerians say e no suppose remain for that post.
