Kingsley Chinda: Rivers Will Soon Be Renamed Wike’s State — Babafemi Ojudu

Former presidential aide and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Babafemi Ojudu, has criticised the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, describing the development as a troubling sign for internal party democracy.

Ojudu’s reaction followed the announcement of Chinda’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, weeks after he reportedly secured the ruling party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election.

The development became public during plenary at the House of Representatives when Tajudeen Abbas formally announced Chinda’s defection.

Reacting in a statement posted on his Facebook page, Ojudu questioned how a politician serving as Minority Leader under a different political party could emerge as the governorship candidate of another party before officially becoming its member.

He argued that political parties are traditionally expected to be built on loyalty, shared values, ideological commitments, and active participation by members over time.

According to Ojudu, individuals seeking party tickets are generally expected to have contributed to the party’s growth, respected its internal processes, and remained committed during difficult periods.

He expressed concern over the implications of the development for long-standing party members who had invested time, resources, and effort in building the APC structure in Rivers State.

“What happens to those who have spent years building the party, funding it, organising for it, defending it, and remaining loyal through difficult times?” Ojudu asked.

The former presidential aide further questioned the future of party discipline and internal democracy if candidates could emerge before formally joining a political party.

In a strongly worded remark, Ojudu suggested that Rivers State could soon be seen as an extension of the political influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose loyalists are widely perceived to maintain significant influence in the state’s political landscape.

Chinda is reportedly a member of a coalition of political figures from various parties supporting President Bola Tinubu. His emergence has generated debate among political observers, with questions being raised about candidate selection processes and party governance ahead of the 2027 elections.