By Chukwudi Obasi
The political crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deepened on Tuesday as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering fresh realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, read Chinda’s defection letter dated April 23, 2026, during plenary, officially confirming his exit from the PDP after years as one of the opposition party’s influential lawmakers.
Moments after the announcement, Chinda relinquished his position as Minority Leader, effectively ending the PDP’s hold on one of the most strategic opposition offices in the Green Chamber.
The Rivers politician, widely regarded as a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State after key contenders stepped down from the race.
Political observers described the development as another major setback for the PDP amid mounting defections and internal instability across several states.
“The political equation ahead of 2027 is changing rapidly, and today’s development confirms the shifting alliances within the opposition,” a ranking lawmaker told reporters after plenary.
Despite emerging as the sole aspirant, APC members reportedly turned out in large numbers during the governorship primary to endorse Chinda’s candidacy through an affirmation vote.
“The massive turnout was a clear demonstration that the party is consolidating ahead of the next election cycle,” a party source said.
Tuesday’s plenary also witnessed a wave of defections, with several lawmakers from Oyo and Bauchi states joining the ruling party.
Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Makanjuola Sunday Ojo, Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji, Folajimi Oyekunle and Abass Adekunle Adigun all dumped the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
Similarly, Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe from Bauchi State also joined the APM from the PDP.
Meanwhile, Labour Party lawmaker, Etanabene Benedict, representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency of Delta State, defected to the PDP.
“This latest round of defections has once again exposed the deepening cracks within the opposition camp,” another legislator remarked.
