House Minority Leader Chinda Dumps PDP for APC as Wave of Defections Hits Reps

The House of Representatives resumed plenary after the Sallah break on a dramatic note as Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), triggering a fresh wave of political realignments in the Green Chamber.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, announced the development on Tuesday while reading 13 separate letters of defection from lawmakers cutting across several political parties.

Chinda’s defection, widely regarded as one of the most significant political moves ahead of the 2027 general elections, was accompanied by his resignation as Minority Leader of the House.

The Rivers lawmaker, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, recently emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State following the withdrawal of key contenders from the race.

In another major development, six lawmakers from Oyo State dumped the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing prolonged internal crises and leadership disputes within the opposition party.

The lawmakers are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle.

In their separate letters, the legislators blamed persistent factional battles and lack of cohesion within the PDP for their decision to seek a new political platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Their exit means that nearly half of Oyo State’s House of Representatives caucus has now aligned with the APM, significantly altering the state’s political landscape.

The gale of defections also spread to other states.

In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe left the PDP for the APM, while Katsina lawmaker Shehu Dalhatu defected from the APC to the PDP after consultations with his constituents.

Delta State witnessed further political shifts as Etanabene Benedict moved from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP, citing unresolved internal challenges within the LP. The PDP also gained Alex Egbona, who crossed over from the APC.

In Edo State, Esosa Iyawe abandoned the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing irreconcilable differences with the party’s leadership in the state.

Similarly, Nasarawa lawmaker Gbefwi Gaza defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party.

The latest round of defections underscores the growing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties repositioning and lawmakers seeking platforms they believe offer stronger prospects for electoral success.

Analysts say the developments could reshape alliances in the National Assembly and further influence the balance of power as political activities intensify nationwide.