Kingsley Chinda resigns as House of Representatives Minority Leader amid political realignment in Rivers State
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has resigned from his position, concluding nearly three years of leading opposition lawmakers in the 10th House. Chinda, who represents the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency of Rivers State under the Peoples Democratic Party, announced his resignation in a letter dated April 23, 2026, which was read in the House on Tuesday by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. His resignation occurs amidst political realignments in Rivers State and weeks after he participated in the All Progressives Congress screening committee alongside other loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in preparation for the 2027 general elections. Although Chinda has not formally announced his resignation from the PDP, his involvement in the APC screening process has led to speculation about his political future and a possible defection to the ruling party. In his letter, Chinda thanked his colleagues for their support and affirmed his commitment to his legislative duties as a member of the House. Chinda became Minority Leader in June 2023 and played a key role in articulating the opposition's stance on national issues. His resignation is the latest development in the political reshaping of Rivers State, where alliances have significantly shifted. Chinda has been a prominent political associate of Wike, whose influence continues to shape the state's political landscape. The resignation is expected to prompt consultations a
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Must ReadDidier Deschamps is set to conclude his 14-year tenure as France's coach after the World Cup third-place play-off against England. Deschamps, 57, aimed for a third World Cup triumph but France was defeated by Spain in the semi-finals, ending their bid for a third consecutive final. Reflecting on his time, Deschamps stated, "I had the privilege of experiencing moments that were magical, and others that were difficult. But life goes on. I’m a positive person, and I know things will be good, too. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me." He led France to victory in the 2018 World Cup and has guided the team to at least the semi-finals in five of his seven major competitions. His coaching career also saw disappointments, including losses in the Euro 2016 final and the 2022 World Cup final. Zinedine Zidane, Deschamps’ former teammate and a former Real Madrid star, is widely expected to be named the next head coach. Zidane, 54, has expressed his dream of managing France and has been preparing for the role since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. French Football Federation president Philippe Diallo noted the need for a leader who "ticks every box and who everyone in France can get behind."
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, swore in two commissioners, 20 permanent secretaries, and members of the Governing Council of the Edo State College of Health Sciences and Technology. A key highlight was the appointment of Melody Omosah as the state's first visually impaired permanent secretary. Governor Okpebholo stated on his official Facebook page that this appointment signifies a historic milestone, emphasizing that ability, competence, and character should define opportunity, not disability. The governor also appointed Martin Oli, a member of the Igbo community, as a commissioner, highlighting his administration's commitment to inclusiveness. Okpebholo reiterated his administration's dedication to building an inclusive government where merit, excellence, and equal opportunity are prioritized over ethnicity, background, or personal connections, and to creating opportunities for all qualified individuals.
Nana Otedola, mother of actress Temi Otedola, expressed surprise upon learning that her daughter and singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, known as Mr Eazi, were expecting their first child shortly after their wedding. Speaking on the couple's How Far podcast, Nana initially anticipated that the newlyweds would enjoy a few years of married life before starting a family. Temi reminded her mother that she and Mr Eazi had already dated for five years before marrying. Nana stated that she has since learned not to be presumptuous about the couple's decisions. She also believes that Temi and Mr Eazi complement each other well. Temi and Mr Eazi announced their pregnancy in May, approximately nine months after their private wedding in Reykjavík, Iceland. The couple, who got engaged in April 2022 after four years of dating, married in August 2025 at Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík. Temi cited Mr Eazi being her best friend as the reason for their marriage, while Mr Eazi noted that Temi helped him understand genuine love and valued his time and effort over material gifts.