INEC Approves Kingsley Chinda for Rivers Governorship Race

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially cleared Kingsley Chinda, an ally of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, to participate in the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State. Chinda, who previously served as the minority leader of the House of Representatives, was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before becoming the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming election.

His transition to the APC has garnered significant attention among political elites, particularly as it occurred without major media coverage. This interest has been heightened by a recent Supreme Court ruling that reinstated specific sections of the Electoral Act 2026, which prohibits political parties from fielding candidates not listed in the membership register submitted to INEC within the required timeframe.

Chinda's name appears as number 5 on the 19-man list released by INEC.