Rivers Political Crisis Deepens as Court Asked to Bar Kingsley Chinda from 2027 Governorship Race
The lingering political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new turn as an Abuja Federal High Court has been approached to stop Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, from participating in the 2027 elections.
Chinda, a close ally of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, emerged as the APC flagbearer during the party’s primary on May 21, 2026, after the sudden withdrawal of other aspirants including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly. His candidacy has raised eyebrows because he currently serves as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, a position tied to his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A group of lawyers under the aegis of the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, many of whom hail from Chinda’s Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, filed a suit on May 12, 2026. They argue that Chinda’s defection from the PDP to the APC did not comply with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, as well as Supreme Court pronouncements on defection of legislators.
The plaintiffs seek orders to bar Chinda from contesting the 2027 Rivers governorship election, direct the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove him as Minority Leader and declare his seat vacant, compel INEC to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacancy, and prevent APC from recognizing Chinda’s candidacy in Rivers State.
The suit contends that Chinda’s continued occupation of a PDP legislative seat while simultaneously contesting under APC is unconstitutional and contrary to democratic ethics. Court documents reveal that his constituents had earlier served him a pre-action notice in October 2025, warning of a recall process should he defect. His eventual defection in April 2026 triggered the lawsuit.
Listed as respondents in the suit filed on behalf of the plaintiff by J. B Lamay, Esq, are Chinda, George-Kelly, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Speaker House of Representatives, APC, Department of State Services, DSS, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
The plaintiffs also argued that George-Kelly violated electoral guidelines by failing to resign his position as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency before contesting. Although he withdrew, the suit maintains that his initial participation breached the March 30, 2026 deadline for presidential appointees seeking elective office.
If the court grants the reliefs, Chinda’s candidacy could be nullified, potentially forcing APC to conduct fresh primaries. The case underscores the intersection of constitutional law, electoral compliance, and political strategy in Rivers State, a region already fraught with political tension.
