Quick Summary:
Former National Human Rights Commission Chairman Chidi Odinkalu condemns the defection of House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda from the PDP to the APC, describing it as “organized crime.”
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chidi Odinkalu, has reacted sharply to the defection of Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Odinkalu described the development as “organized crime,” insisting that no court ruling could justify the circumstances surrounding Chinda’s move to the ruling party.
Controversy Over Defection Announcement
Odinkalu’s reaction followed the announcement by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, that Chinda had defected from the PDP to the APC.
The Speaker made the disclosure during Tuesday’s plenary session, reading a letter of notification dated April 23, 2026.
The defection came shortly after Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate for Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Following the announcement, Chinda resigned his position as Minority Leader of the House.
Odinkalu: “No Court Can Clean This Up”
Reacting to the development, Odinkalu noted that Chinda was selected as the APC governorship candidate while still serving as Minority Leader on the PDP platform, describing the situation as legally and ethically untenable.
He added that attempts might be made to legitimise the defection through the courts, but maintained that no judicial process could justify it.
Legal Challenge And Next Steps
Reports indicate that Chinda is currently facing a lawsuit over allegations that his defection from the PDP to the APC did not follow due process.
The House of Representatives is expected to elect a new Minority Leader following his resignation.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over party defections and political accountability in Nigeria’s legislature, with critics calling for clearer enforcement of constitutional provisions governing party membership and representation.
