By Esther Onyegbula

The Nigeria Patriotic Forum (NPF), an international coalition of Nigerian business executives and professionals operating across more than 40 countries, has endorsed Rt. Hon. O.K. Chinda as its preferred candidate for governor of Rivers State.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its President, Amb. Prince Sam Onuegbunam, said Chinda’s experience in public service and the National Assembly positioned him to provide continuity in governance and sustain the developmental strides it attributed to the administration of former Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.

The endorsement comes as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State, with Chinda already identified as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The NPF described Chinda as an experienced lawmaker, capable administrator and advocate of good governance, saying his years of legislative service had equipped him with political maturity, policy understanding and leadership experience.

According to the Forum, Chinda has distinguished himself through consistent representation, legislative engagement and service to his constituents.

It said his experience in the National Assembly could contribute to effective governance, economic development and improved public services in Rivers State.

The group also highlighted Chinda’s political relationship with Wike, describing the former governor as a major influence in the lawmaker’s political development.

The NPF commended Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, particularly his administration’s focus on roads, bridges, schools, healthcare facilities and other public infrastructure.

It specifically cited the “One Month, One Meaningful Project” policy as a development model that, according to the Forum, brought government projects closer to the people and made infrastructure delivery a visible feature of the administration.

“Rt. Hon. O.K. Chinda is an outstanding understudy of His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Wike,” Onuegbunam said.

“He possesses the requisite experience, political maturity and execution capacity to lead Rivers State back to glorious days of project delivery that directly impact the daily lives of Rivers people and Nigerians at large.”

The Forum also acknowledged Wike’s current role as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, saying his leadership had contributed to the ongoing transformation and modernisation of Abuja.

It said Wike’s approach to governance, which it characterised by firm administration, project execution and urban renewal, could provide a model for Rivers State under a leader with political and legislative experience.

The Nigeria Patriotic Forum called on political stakeholders, youth organisations, professional associations and residents of Rivers State to support Chinda’s governorship ambition.

The group said his emergence would provide an opportunity for Rivers State to build on existing development gains while strengthening administrative efficiency, economic growth and infrastructural delivery.

The Forum maintained that the state requires leadership capable of combining experience with innovation, expressing confidence that Chinda could provide continuity, stability and renewed momentum for development across Rivers State.