A group of lawyers has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to stop Kingsley Chinda from participating in the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State.
Chinda reportedly emerged as the sole governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress after several other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, withdrew from the race.
The plaintiffs alleged that Chinda currently serves as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, a position he holds under the Peoples Democratic Party, and questioned the legality of his alleged defection to the APC.
According to the suit, Chinda’s participation in APC’s governorship primary while still occupying a legislative position tied to another party is inconsistent with provisions of the 1999 Constitution and relevant Supreme Court interpretations on defection by lawmakers.
The lawyers argued that his continued occupation of legislative office alongside participation in APC political activities is “unconstitutional, unlawful, and contrary to democratic ethics and constitutional order.”
They also referenced a pre-action notice reportedly served on the lawmaker in October 2025 by constituents threatening recall proceedings if he defected from the PDP.
The plaintiffs further claimed that Chinda eventually defected to the APC in April 2026, which they say triggered the current legal action challenging his eligibility and political status.
