Kingsley Ogundu Chinda has won the APC's Rivers State governorship ticket. He's a close associate of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Bitrus Kwamoti, who chaired the primary election committee, made the announcement Thursday in Port Harcourt. He declared Chinda the party's flagbearer at APC headquarters.
Chinda ran unopposed in the May 21, 2026 primary election. He garnered 268,497 votes across all 23 local government areas.
"I certify that Chinda Ogundu Kingsley is the sole aspirant," Kwamoti told party officials. According to him, the candidate met every constitutional requirement.
Kwamoti confirmed that Chinda satisfied APC guidelines without any issues. The party has now formally recognized him as its Rivers State candidate.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had withdrawn from the race the night before voting. Several other aspirants also stepped back from the contest.
Chinda's emergence as the nominee strengthens Wike's influence in Rivers politics. The FCT minister has been a major power broker in the state.
Political observers say the uncontested primary signals unity within Rivers APC. Analysts believe the party now has a clearer path to the general election.
