ABUJA COURT SOUGHT TO DISQUALIFY APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE KINGSLEY CHINDA IN RIVERS STATE. (PHOTO).

 Abuja Court Sought to Disqualify APC Governorship Candidate Kingsley Chinda in Rivers State

Fresh legal hurdles have emerged in the political crisis rocking Rivers State as a group of lawyers has dragged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking to bar him from contesting the 2027 governorship election.

Chinda, who also serves as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, emerged as the APC’s candidate in the party’s governorship primary held on May 21, 2026, after running as the sole aspirant. Other notable contenders, including incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, had withdrawn at the last minute.

However, the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners filed a suit on May 12, 2026, challenging Chinda’s eligibility. The plaintiffs argue that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 (as amended) and relevant Supreme Court judgments on legislative defection.

The group is asking the court to:

- Stop Chinda from participating in the 2027 Rivers governorship election.

- Order the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove him as Minority Leader and declare his seat vacant.

- Direct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a by-election to fill the vacancy, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

- Prevent INEC from recognizing his nomination as APC candidate.

The suit also initially targeted George-Kelly over his failure to resign as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency before the March 30, 2026 deadline for presidential appointees seeking elective office. However, with George-Kelly’s withdrawal from the primary, focus has shifted primarily to Chinda.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Jesse Amuga, Administrative Secretary of the plaintiff association, stated that Chinda’s continued occupation of his legislative seat while pursuing the APC governorship ticket is unlawful. The plaintiffs noted that Chinda was served a pre-action notice in October 2025 warning of a possible recall process if he defected, which he allegedly ignored.

Chinda’s emergence as APC candidate has added a new layer to the long-running political tensions in Rivers State, particularly involving his political ally, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and Governor Fubara.

The case is pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.