Rivers: Chinda To Emerge As APC Governorship Candidate Following Withdrawal Of Fubara, Others

Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, is set to emerge as the consensus governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State.

The development followed the withdrawal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and two other governorship aspirants, Architect Tonye Cole and Dr. Dakorisima George-Kelly, from the race.

LEADERSHIP observed that while Fubara and Cole withdrew on Wednesday evening, George-Kelly announced his withdrawal on Thursday morning.

Chinda, a close ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Chisom Gbali, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gbali’s resignation was contained in a letter dated May 13, 2026, and addressed to the party’s chairman of Ward 1 in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.

The commissioner stated that the decision was reached after careful reflection and personal consideration.

“I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the leadership and members of the party for the opportunities, relationships, and experiences I gained during my time as a member of the party.

“I kindly request that my name be removed from the party’s membership records and registers accordingly,” he said.