The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, on Tuesday resigned his position, marking a major shift in the leadership of the opposition caucus in the 10th National Assembly.
Chinda’s resignation comes at a time of heightened political realignments in the House, where lawmakers across party lines on Tuesday announced defections involving the Peoples Democratic Party, the All Progressives Congress, and other political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, announced his resignation in a letter dated April 23, 2026, which was read on the floor of the House on Tuesday by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
His resignation comes amid growing political realignments in Rivers State and weeks after he won the APC governorship ticket for Rivers State in 2027.
Although Chinda had yet to formally announce his resignation from the PDP, his participation in the APC screening process fuelled speculation about his political future and possible defection to the ruling party.
In the letter addressed to the Speaker, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the support he received while serving as minority leader.
Chinda also assured lawmakers that he would continue to discharge his legislative responsibilities despite relinquishing his leadership role.
Chinda emerged as the minority leader at the inauguration of the 10th House in June 2023, following consultations among opposition parties, particularly the PDP, which held the largest number of seats among minority parties in the chamber. Also on Tuesday, six members of the Oyo State caucus loyal to Governor Seyi Makinde dumped the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement.
At the resumption of plenary following the Sallah break, Abbas read 13 letters announcing the change of parties by lawmakers.
The members of the Oyo House of Representatives caucus who defected to the APM on Tuesday included Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle.
In their letters, the lawmakers cited the protracted internal crisis and leadership tussle in the PDP as a reason to seek a political alternative to pursue their ambitions in 2027.
The lawmakers announced their joining of the APM, having secured the tickets to contest the 2027 elections.
In Bauchi, Auwalu Gwalabe also left the PDP for the APM, while Shehu Dalhatu, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, dumped the APC for the PDP.
In his letter of defection, Dalhatu said, “After careful consideration of the issues in the APC and having consulted with my constituencies, I have resolved to join the PDP.”
Similarly, Delta lawmaker, Etanabene Benedict, left the Labour Party for the PDP, citing “the crisis in the LP,” in the South-South state.
The PDP also gained another lawmaker in Alex Egbona, who dumped the APC for the PDP, noting, however, that his “commitment to the House and his constituency remains unshakeable.”
In yet another defection, Edo legislator Esosa Iyawe, who had defected thrice within three years, again dumped the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
He blamed “irreconcilable differences with the Edo State chapter of the APC for his decision.”
Nasarawa lawmaker, Gbefwi Gaza, announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party to the LP.