The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared Kingsley Chinda to contest the 2027 Rivers State governorship election, placing him on its final list of 19 candidates. Chinda, a former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, appeared at number five on the list released by INEC. His inclusion has drawn attention due to questions surrounding his political affiliation and emergence as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chinda's name on the final list is notable given the legal questions surrounding the eligibility of some political figures following the Supreme Court's intervention in provisions of the Electoral Act 2026. The court restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Act, addressing party membership records and compliance with requirements for selecting candidates for elections. These provisions have raised questions about whether parties can nominate individuals whose names were not included in membership registers submitted to INEC within the stipulated period.
Chinda's emergence as the APC's candidate on May 21, 2026, came amid political developments involving Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the camp associated with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Wike publicly backed Chinda's ambition, describing him as his preferred choice to succeed Fubara. Wike expressed his support at a reception organised by Ogbakor Ikwerre, a socio-cultural organisation representing the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, in Rivers State.
The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) had called for action over Chinda's eligibility, urging INEC to meet with the APC and the candidate to address concerns arising from the Supreme Court judgment and a pending legal challenge to his nomination. The legal controversy centres on the timing of Chinda's registration with the APC and whether the party complied with statutory requirements governing membership registers before conducting its governorship primary.
INEC's final list also features candidates from several other political parties, making the Rivers governorship election a contest involving multiple platforms. Among those listed are Gabriel Pidomson Baritulem of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dumo Lulu-Briggs of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and Samuel Soni Ejekwu of the PDP. Other parties represented include the Action Alliance, Action Alliance of Nigeria, and the Labour Party.
However, the inclusion of a candidate on INEC's list does not, by itself, resolve every legal dispute that may arise over a nomination. Any outstanding court proceedings and applicable electoral requirements remain separate matters that may affect the final determination of a candidate's eligibility. POLITICS NIGERIA had earlier reported a legal move seeking to stop Chinda from contesting the 2027 Rivers governorship election under the APC.
The development has significant implications for the forthcoming election in Rivers State, with multiple candidates vying for the position. As the election approaches, the focus will be on whether Chinda and other candidates can overcome any legal hurdles and meet the requirements for contesting under their respective parties. The outcome of any pending court cases and the decisions of INEC will ultimately determine the final lineup of candidates for the election.
Key points
- Kingsley Chinda cleared to contest 2027 Rivers governorship election
- Legal questions surround Chinda's eligibility due to party affiliation and membership issues
- INEC's decision does not resolve all legal disputes over Chinda's nomination
