Ojudu Criticises APC Over Chinda’s Emergence as Rivers Governorship Candidate

Former presidential aide and senior All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Babafemi Ojudu, has raised concerns over the emergence of former House of Representatives Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, as the party’s governorship candidate for the upcoming Rivers State election.

Ojudu described the development as a troubling precedent that could undermine internal party democracy and discourage long-serving party members who have remained loyal to the APC over the years.

The controversy stems from the fact that Chinda reportedly secured the APC governorship ticket before officially defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.

His defection was formally announced during plenary on Tuesday by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, sparking widespread debate within political circles.

Reacting to the development in a statement shared on his Facebook page, Ojudu questioned the process that led to Chinda’s emergence, arguing that political parties should be built on loyalty, commitment, and active participation from members who have invested time and resources in strengthening party structures.

According to him, party tickets should ordinarily be reserved for individuals who have contributed to the growth and success of the party, respected its internal processes, and remained committed during challenging periods.

Expressing his displeasure, Ojudu remarked that it was unusual for a politician to obtain the governorship ticket of a party before becoming a registered member of that same party.

“A Minority Leader of one political party secures the governorship ticket of the ruling party and only afterwards defects to that party. Welcome to Rivers State, which may soon be renamed Wike State,” he stated.

The APC stalwart warned that such developments could weaken confidence in political institutions and create disillusionment among dedicated party members who have spent years supporting the party.

He questioned what message the situation sends to loyal members who have worked tirelessly to build the APC through funding, grassroots mobilization, and defending the party during difficult times.

Ojudu further argued that actions perceived as bypassing established party structures could erode the values of membership, discipline, and internal democracy that political parties are expected to uphold.

The development has also fueled discussions about the growing political influence of former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in the state's political landscape.

Chinda is widely seen as a prominent member of the Rainbow Coalition, a political alliance comprising influential figures from different political parties who have publicly aligned themselves with President Bola Tinubu.

Political observers say the controversy surrounding Chinda’s candidacy is likely to continue generating debate within the APC and the wider political community as preparations intensify for the forthcoming governorship election in Rivers State.

The incident has also reignited broader conversations about party loyalty, candidate selection processes, and the future of internal democracy within Nigeria’s political system.