Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chinda secured the party’s ticket after emerging as the sole aspirant following the withdrawal of three other contenders from the race.
The development marks a major political shift in Rivers State as the APC continues efforts to reposition itself ahead of the next governorship election.
Fubara, Tonye Cole, Others Withdraw From Race
The APC governorship primary took a dramatic turn on Wednesday night after three aspirants stepped down from the contest.
Those who withdrew include:
- Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
- Tonye Cole
- Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly
Their withdrawal left Chinda as the sole candidate in the primary election.
Chinda Secures APC Ticket
Chairman of the Rivers APC Governorship Primary Committee, Kwamoti Bitrus, announced that Chinda polled a total of 268,497 votes as the party’s sole candidate.
Bitrus commended party members for their participation in the exercise and praised election officials and party agents for ensuring a smooth process.
He also appreciated the Rivers APC leadership for creating what he described as a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of the primary election.
Chinda’s Political Background
Before emerging as the Rivers APC governorship candidate, Chinda was widely known as a leading figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and serves as the Minority Leader of the 10th House of Representatives.
His emergence under the APC platform is expected to reshape political calculations in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.
APC Speaks on Chinda’s Emergence
Reacting to the outcome of the primary, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibike Ikenga, said the party had undergone major reorganisation in the state.
According to him, Chinda’s candidacy signals a new phase for the APC in Rivers State.
Ikenga stated that:
- the party has been recalibrated
- APC is now more united
- Chinda has the capacity to drive development and unify the state
He added that the emergence of Chinda reflects the party’s renewed strategy ahead of 2027.
What Chinda’s Emergence Means for Rivers Politics
Political observers believe Chinda’s emergence could significantly alter the political landscape in Rivers State.
Key implications include:
- possible realignment within Rivers politics
- renewed APC strength in the state
- intensified competition ahead of 2027
- shifting alliances between major political actors
The development is also expected to trigger reactions from both APC and PDP stakeholders in the coming days.
Conclusion
The emergence of Hon. Ogundu Kingsley Chinda as the Rivers APC governorship candidate marks a major development ahead of the 2027 elections.
With Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other aspirants withdrawing from the race, the APC appears to be consolidating its strategy in Rivers State as political activities gradually intensify.
As preparations for the elections continue, attention will now shift to how opposition parties and political stakeholders respond to the new political dynamics in the state.
