A member of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general election.
Chinda, who currently represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency and is a former Minority Leader of the House, was declared winner of the party’s primary election held on Thursday.
Announcing the result, Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Bitrus Kwamoti, said Chinda, who was the sole aspirant in the race, polled 268,497 votes.
Speaking shortly after his emergence, Chinda, widely regarded as an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, promised to provide transparent and accountable leadership if elected governor.
He assured Rivers people of sincere governance anchored on the rule of law and pledged to work towards restoring peace and progress in the state.
“Rivers people should expect sincerity in governance and proper accountability. A peaceful and progressive Rivers State is coming again,” Chinda stated.
Ahead of the primary election, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, businessman Tonye Cole, and former Commissioner for Works, Dax George-Kelly, had withdrawn from the contest.
Fubara explained that his decision to step down was driven by the need to promote peace, unity, and the overall progress of the state.
The APC had earlier screened both Fubara and Chinda for the primary election. However, Fubara’s appearance at the screening venue and his refusal to address journalists afterwards sparked speculation that he may have been disqualified by the screening committee.
