INEC Clears Chinda as APC's Rivers Governorship Candidate for 2027

The Independent National Electoral Commission has officially registered Kingsley Chinda as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship race. Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was placed fifth on INEC's final list of 19 candidates released on Saturday.

His clearance marks a significant political shift in a state long dominated by the Peoples Democratic Party. Chinda emerged as the APC's nominee following the party's primary held in May 2026, where he ran unopposed after other aspirants withdrew from the race.

His candidacy carries particular weight given his association with Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory Minister and a dominant political figure in Rivers State. Chinda's path to the APC nomination drew attention because his defection from the PDP had not been widely publicised before his emergence as the ruling party's flag bearer.

The development follows a Supreme Court ruling that restored certain sections of the Electoral Act 2026, specifically those governing candidate eligibility requirements. Multiple sources note that questions have been raised about Chinda's political affiliations and compliance with electoral regulations, though the specific nature of these concerns differs across reports.

INEC's inclusion of his name on the final candidate register indicates the commission determined he met the statutory requirements to contest the election. Chinda's registration adds another dimension to Rivers State's increasingly competitive political landscape.

The state has experienced intensified factional struggles both within and across party lines in recent months. His candidacy represents an attempt by the APC to challenge PDP dominance in a state that has been a stronghold for the opposition party at the state level.