The All Progressives Congress (APC) has picked the Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Major Jack, as the running mate to its 2027 governorship candidate,Rep Kingsley Ogundu Chinda.
The development signals the party’s move to consolidate its political structure in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC Publicity Secretary in Rivers State, Ikenga Chibike, confirmed Jack’s emergence on Tuesday. 
With the announcement, Jack will contest alongside Chinda as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate in the state.
Chinda emerged as the party’s governorship candidate after the APC primary election held in May 2026, setting the stage for the party’s campaign to unseat the incumbent administration.
Why Jack?
The choice of Jack is understood to be part of the APC’s strategy to achieve geographical balance on its governorship ticket while expanding its support base across Rivers State.
Party sources said his political reach, particularly in the riverine communities, was also considered an advantage as the APC seeks to strengthen its grassroots network ahead of the election.
The pairing of Chinda and Jack is therefore expected to give the party a broader geographical appeal, particularly in a state where political support is often influenced by senatorial districts, ethnic considerations and local political structures.
Jack’s Defection
Jack’s emergence as the APC’s deputy governorship candidate also comes less than two years after his defection to the party.
He joined the APC in December 2025 alongside the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and several other lawmakers.
The defections marked a major shift in the political alignment within the state legislature and further strengthened the APC’s presence in Rivers politics.
The lawmakers’ movement to the APC followed months of intense political rivalry and realignment among the state’s political actors.
With the 2027 election now approaching, the APC is banking on the Chinda-Jack ticket, its growing grassroots structure and the recent political realignments to mount a formidable challenge in Rivers State.
The development also sets up an increasingly competitive race as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 governorship election.
