Lawyers Challenge Kingsley Chinda's Defection Validity

Lawyers from the Advocates for Legislative Drafting and Practice (ALDRAP) have stated that only the Speaker of the House can declare a lawmaker's defection during plenary sessions. This statement comes in light of Kingsley Chinda's recent defection from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the party's primaries.

An Abuja Federal High Court has been asked to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Chinda as the APC's governorship candidate due to alleged procedural violations. The lawyers argue that Chinda's defection is null and void as it did not follow the necessary legal criteria outlined in Section 68 of the Nigerian Constitution.

They reference a Supreme Court judgment from February 28, 2025, which emphasizes that a valid defection must occur amid a crisis within the original political party. Chinda's case is further complicated by claims that he did not formally resign from the PDP, which could lead to legal repercussions.