An ally of Nyesom Wike and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, has reportedly been cleared by the screening committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to participate in the party’s 2027 governorship primary election in Rivers State.

Chinda, who currently serves in the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was said to have appeared before the APC screening panel in Abuja ahead of the party’s governorship primaries scheduled for Saturday.

The development has intensified speculation over a possible quiet defection by the lawmaker from the PDP to the APC, although no official statement confirming a change of party affiliation has been issued as of the time of filing this report.

A video circulating online reportedly showed Chinda at the screening venue alongside other aspirants seeking the APC governorship ticket in Rivers State.

Reports also indicate that the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was equally cleared by the party’s screening committee ahead of the primary election.

The latest political moves are expected to further reshape the evolving power dynamics in Rivers State, especially amid the lingering political tensions involving camps loyal to Wike and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.