How Wike’s ally, Kingsley Chinda, won Rivers APC guber primary election

Kingsley Chinda, a member of the house of representatives, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Chinda, a former minority leader of the House and the sole aspirant in the contest, was declared winner of the APC primary election on Thursday by Bitrus Kwamoti, chairman of the election committee.

Kwamoti announced that Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor federal constituency, secured 268,497 votes.

Speaking after the primary, Chinda, who is regarded as an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, promised to govern Rivers State with integrity and adherence to the law if elected governor.

“Rivers people should expect sincerity in governance and proper accountability. Peaceful and progressive Rivers state is coming again,” he said.

On Wednesday, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, businessman Tonye Cole, and former Commissioner for Works Dax George-Kelly withdrew from the APC governorship primary race.

Fubara explained that his decision to step down was motivated by a desire to promote peace, unity, and progress in the state.

Last week, the APC screened both Fubara and Chinda ahead of the governorship primary.

Fubara, who appeared visibly subdued while leaving the screening venue, declined to address journalists, sparking speculation that he may have been disqualified by the committee.

The APC screening committee had earlier disqualified several associates of Fubara from contesting the Rivers State House of Assembly primaries while clearing aspirants believed to be loyal to Wike.

Fubara and Wike have been locked in a prolonged political feud that escalated into moves by lawmakers to impeach the governor.

Most members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who supported the impeachment process are considered allies of the FCT minister.

Wike had also publicly vowed to oppose Fubara’s re-election bid, accusing the governor of breaching the peace agreement both men reportedly signed at the instance of President Bola Tinubu.