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A legal challenge has been filed against Kingsley Chinda’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 election.
A legal challenge has been filed against Kingsley Chinda’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 election.
The case was filed at a Federal High Court in Abuja by a group of lawyers under the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners.
They are asking the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Chinda as the party’s candidate.
Chinda, who currently serves as Minority Leader in the House of Representatives under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently emerged as the APC governorship candidate after other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo George-Kelly, withdrew from the primary election.
The lawyers argue that Chinda’s alleged move from PDP to APC did not follow constitutional and electoral rules guiding the defection of lawmakers.
In the suit, they want the court to prevent Chinda from contesting the 2027 governorship election and also ask that he be removed as Minority Leader if he is confirmed to have changed parties.
The group further requested that his seat in the House of Representatives be declared vacant and that a bye-election be conducted to fill the position.
The case also raised concerns about George-Kelly’s eligibility, claiming he did not resign from his government appointment within the required period before seeking elective office.
Court documents stated that Chinda had earlier been warned by some people in his constituency about possible recall efforts if he left the PDP.
The lawsuit now puts fresh legal pressure on Chinda’s candidacy and could affect the political landscape in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
