APC Defends Kingsley Chinda's Candidacy Amid Legal Challenge

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has addressed concerns regarding the eligibility of its 2027 governorship candidate, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, in light of a Supreme Court judgment delivered on September 24, 2026. The judgment emphasized the need for political parties to submit a verified register of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before primary elections.

Chinda, a member of the House of Representatives, registered with the APC on April 27, 2026, and announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on June 2, 2026, after winning the APC primary election on May 21. Following the Supreme Court ruling, the Association of Legislative Drafting Practitioners (ALDRAP) requested Chinda's disqualification from the governorship race in a letter to INEC dated September 26, 2026.

ALDRAP is also pursuing a suit in the Abuja Federal High Court to disqualify Chinda and other APC candidates for the Rivers State House of Assembly election.