Legal storm hits Chinda after emergence as Rivers APC governorship candidate

The political crisis in Rivers State has taken a fresh turn as a suit filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja seeks to stop Kingsley Chinda from participating in the 2027 governorship election in the oil-rich state.

Chinda, a prominent ally of Nyesom Wike, recently emerged as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress following the party’s primary election held on May 21, 2026.

The lawmaker reportedly emerged as the sole candidate after other aspirants, including incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, former governorship candidate Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, withdrew from the race shortly before the exercise.

Chinda’s emergence, however, has generated fresh controversy because he currently serves as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, despite now flying the APC flag in Rivers State.

Although little public attention had initially focused on his reported movement from the PDP to the APC, the issue resurfaced after his participation in the APC governorship primary.

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Court documents obtained by reporters showed that an association of lawyers under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners filed a suit before the Federal High Court on May 12, 2026, challenging Chinda’s eligibility.

The suit, filed by counsel J.B. Lamay, names Chinda, George-Kelly, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, APC, the Department of State Services and the Attorney-General of the Federation as respondents.

The plaintiffs are asking the court to stop Chinda from participating in the Rivers governorship election on the grounds that his alleged defection from the PDP to the APC violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and constitutional provisions regulating the defection of lawmakers.

They also urged the court to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove Chinda as Minority Leader and declare his legislative seat vacant over what they described as unlawful dual party membership.

In addition, the plaintiffs asked the court to direct INEC to conduct a bye-election to fill the alleged vacancy created by Chinda’s defection, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution and a Supreme Court judgment delivered on February 27, 2025, concerning procedures for legislators seeking to defect from one political party to another.

The legal action further requested an order restraining INEC from recognising Chinda’s nomination or candidature pending the final determination of the suit.

According to the plaintiffs, Chinda’s continued occupation of a legislative office allocated to the PDP while simultaneously contesting under the APC constitutes a violation of constitutional provisions and democratic principles.

In an affidavit attached to the originating summons, Jesse Amuga, identified as Administrative Secretary of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, argued that Chinda’s actions were “unconstitutional, unlawful and contrary to democratic ethics and constitutional order.”

The plaintiffs also disclosed that legal representatives from Chinda’s Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency had earlier issued him a pre-action notice in October 2025 warning of plans to commence recall proceedings should he defect from the PDP.

According to the affidavit, the lawmaker allegedly proceeded with the move to the APC in April 2026 despite those warnings, prompting the current lawsuit.

The suit equally challenged the participation of George-Kelly in the APC governorship process, alleging that he failed to resign his appointment as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency within the deadline reportedly set for political appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 general elections.

However, with George-Kelly having withdrawn from the APC primary, legal attention is now largely focused on Chinda’s emergence as the party’s governorship candidate.

Political observers say the lawsuit could further complicate the already tense political atmosphere in Rivers State, where rival camps loyal to Wike and Governor Fubara continue to battle for influence ahead of the 2027 elections.