Chinda’s APC Governorship Ticket Faces Court Challenge Over Defection
Chinda’s APC Governorship Ticket Faces Court Challenge Over Defection
Fresh legal trouble has emerged for Rivers APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda after a group of lawyers asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising his candidacy for the 2027 election.
Chinda, a serving member of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader, emerged as the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State after a May 21 primary in which he stood unopposed following the withdrawal of other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly.
However, his emergence has sparked controversy over his alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC while still occupying a position tied to the opposition party.
In a suit filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners argued that Chinda’s move to the APC allegedly violated provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 and constitutional rules guiding legislative defection.
The plaintiffs are seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising Chinda’s nomination and participation in the governorship race pending the determination of the case.
They also asked the court to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove Chinda as Minority Leader and declare his seat vacant over alleged dual party membership, while urging INEC to conduct a bye-election for his constituency.
The suit further named the APC, INEC, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Department of State Services and the Attorney-General of the Federation among respondents.
The legal challenge also initially targeted former aspirant George-Kelly over allegations he failed to resign his federal appointment before contesting, although he later withdrew from the APC governorship primary.
The case adds another layer to the prolonged political tensions in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Legal analysts suggest that this lawsuit could significantly alter the political landscape in Rivers State, as it tests the legal boundaries of floor-crossing and dual-party association under the Electoral Act 2026. If the court grants the plaintiffs’ requests, the APC could find itself without a valid gubernatorial candidate just as campaigns begin to intensify, mirroring the internal party crises that plagued its previous electoral outings in the state. For now, all eyes are on the Federal High Court in Abuja to see how quickly it will hear the matter, even as Chinda’s legal team prepares a robust defense to dismiss the suit as an orchestrated distraction by his political rivals.
