Reps: Chinda resigns as minority leader, 13 members

From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

The member representing Obi/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State in the House of Representatives, yesterday, announced his resignation as minority leader.

Chinda, who was recently nominated by the All Progressives Congress (APC) as Rivers State gubernatorial candidate in the 2027 polls, announced his resignation in a letter read at plenary by the speaker, Tajudeen Abbas. The Speaker noted that the letter was dated April 23, 2026.

The lawmaker said: “It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve in this capacity, representing the collective interest of the minority caucus and contributing to the legislative work of the house.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work under your leadership and alongside distinguished colleagues in advancing democratic governance and national development.”

Chinda, who was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, had caused a stir, when he appeared at the APC screening for gubernatorial aspirants, without announcing his exit from the opposition party. He later emerged as the ruling party’s standard bearer in Rivers State.

Meanwhile, 13 members of the House, yesterday, switched political parties, in the ongoing realignment in the parliament, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Seven lawmakers, consisting of six PDP members from Oyo State and one from Bauchi State, dumped the party for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The affected lawmakers are Adebayo Adepoju, Ibarapa North federal constituency; Adedeji Olajide, Ibadan North-West federal constituency; Makanjuola Ojo, Ogooluwa/Surulere federal constituency; Oyeshina Oyedeji, Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency; Folajimi Oyekunle, Ibadan North federal constituency and Abass Adigun, Ibadan North-East/South-East federal constituency, all in Oyo State and Auwalu Gwalabe, from Katagum federal constituency of Bauchi State.

Similarly, Alex Egbona, representing Abi/Yakurr federal constituency of Cross River State and Shehu Dalhatu, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa federal constituency of Katsina state, defected from the APC to the PDP.

Also, Jonathan Gbefwi, representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona federal constituency of Nasarawa State, defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party (LP), while Etanabene Benedict, representing Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency of Delta State, moved from the LP to the PDP.

Furthermore, Esosa Iyawe, from Oredo federal constituency of Edo State, dumped the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).