The Rivers State chapter of Nigeria's All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected calls for the disqualification of its 2027 governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda. This decision comes after a Supreme Court judgment on September 24, 2026, which reinstated the need for political parties to comply with Section 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act. The provisions require parties to submit verified membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before conducting primary elections.
Kingsley Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, registered as an APC member on April 27, 2026, and emerged as the APC governorship candidate after conducting the party's Rivers governorship primary on May 21. He subsequently announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defection to the APC on June 2, 2026. This sequence of events has generated legal and political arguments over Chinda's eligibility to participate in the APC primary.
Opponents and some legal commentators have urged INEC to disqualify Chinda from the 2027 governorship contest, citing concerns over his membership status. The Association of Legislative Drafting Practitioners (ALDRAP) also wrote to INEC seeking Chinda's immediate disqualification following the Supreme Court judgment. ALDRAP questioned the status of the APC governorship nomination, the party's membership records submitted to INEC, and the steps required to implement the Supreme Court decision.
The Rivers APC has dismissed concerns over Chinda's candidacy, maintaining that he satisfied the 21-day membership requirement referenced in the Supreme Court judgment. According to the party's Publicity Secretary, Ikenga Chibike, Chinda had been an APC member for 24 days before the May 21 primary. Chibike argued that there is no basis for disqualifying Chinda, adding that the APC is focused on the 2027 election.
ALDRAP's position is linked to a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/972/2026, in which ALDRAP is the plaintiff. INEC, Abdul Mahmud, APC, the APC National Chairman, Chinda, and Mariana Ajibola are listed as respondents in the case. ALDRAP is asking the court to disqualify Chinda and APC candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly election.
The group has also raised questions over the composition of the APC Rivers State Governorship and House of Assembly Appeal Committee, alleging that individuals connected to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and serving National Assembly members were included in the committee. However, the Rivers APC has maintained that Chinda's candidacy is not a concern, adding that the party is focused on winning the 2027 election.
The APC's stance on Chinda's candidacy comes as the party prepares for the 2027 election. With the controversy surrounding Chinda's eligibility, the party's decision to back him is seen as a move to strengthen its position in the upcoming election. The development will likely have implications for the political landscape in Rivers State.
Key points
- The APC has rejected calls for the disqualification of its 2027 governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.
- The Supreme Court judgment on September 24, 2026, reinstated the need for political parties to comply with Section 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act.
- Chinda's eligibility to participate in the APC primary has been questioned due to his membership status and the timing of his defection from the PDP to the APC.
