Fresh legal challenges have emerged against the governorship candidacy of Kingsley Chinda as a Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognising him as the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Rivers State for the 2027 election.
Chinda, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after the party’s primary election held on May 21, 2026.
He emerged as the sole candidate following the withdrawal of other aspirants, including incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and George-Kelly Alabo.
Despite emerging as the APC candidate, Chinda currently serves as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a development now forming the basis of the legal dispute.
According to court documents, the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners filed the suit on May 12, 2026, seeking to prevent Chinda from participating in the APC governorship primary and, if successful in the primary, from contesting the 2027 governorship election.
The suit, filed through counsel J.B. Lamay, listed Chinda, George Kelly, INEC, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, APC, the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice as respondents.
The plaintiffs argued that Chinda’s alleged defection from the PDP to the APC violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution regarding the defection of legislators.
They further requested the court to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove Chinda as Minority Leader and declare his legislative seat vacant on grounds of alleged dual party membership.
The group also asked the court to direct INEC to conduct a bye election to fill the seat if declared vacant.
In addition, the plaintiffs urged the court to stop APC from recognising both Chinda and George Kelly in the governorship primary process.
Regarding George Kelly, the plaintiffs alleged that he failed to resign as Director General of the Border Communities Development Agency before contesting, contrary to directives requiring political appointees seeking elective office to resign by March 30, 2026.
However, with George Kelly having withdrawn from the race, the legal battle is now focused largely on Chinda’s candidacy.
Specifically, the plaintiffs sought “an order directing INEC not to recognize or accord validity to the participation, nomination and/or candidature” of Chinda pending the determination of the suit.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Administrative Secretary of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, Jesse Amuga, argued that Chinda’s continued occupation of legislative office while participating in APC governorship activities was unlawful and contrary to democratic principles.
The plaintiffs further disclosed that legal representatives from Chinda’s constituency had earlier served him a pre action notice in October 2025, warning of a possible recall process if he defected from the PDP to the APC.
According to the suit, Chinda allegedly proceeded with the defection in April 2026, leading to the current legal action.
