Group Defends Kingsley Chinda’s APC Governorship Bid, Dismisses Suit as Politically Motivated

A pro-democracy organisation, the Centre for Constitutional Governance and Electoral Integrity (CCGEI), has rejected efforts to prevent Kingsley Chinda, the lawmaker representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, from taking part in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship process in Rivers State, insisting that he fulfilled all constitutional and party conditions before entering the race.

The group reacted to a suit filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), which is seeking an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Chinda’s participation in the APC governorship primary.
Chinda, a political ally of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emerged as the sole candidate during the APC governorship primary held on May 21 after Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly withdrew from the contest shortly before the exercise commenced.
In a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja, the Executive Director of CCGEI, Ibrahim Danjuma, described the legal action as “misleading, politically motivated and lacking constitutional substance.”
According to the organisation, Chinda officially resigned from his leadership position in the House of Representatives and stopped carrying out the responsibilities of minority leader from April 2, 2026, which it said was within the period stipulated by electoral guidelines.
“The facts are straightforward and verifiable. Hon. Kingsley Chinda stepped down from his role as minority leader on April 2 and effectively disengaged from the leadership structure of the PDP before participating in the APC governorship process,” the statement said.
“To suggest otherwise is an attempt to distort both the law and the sequence of events for political advantage.”
CCGEI maintained that Chinda’s participation in the APC primary does not amount to any constitutional breach, stressing that the lawmaker acted in line with provisions governing political participation and party alignment.
The group further argued that the lawsuit appears aimed at creating unnecessary political tension in Rivers State rather than defending constitutional principles.
“This is clearly an effort to weaponise litigation for political ends. Nigerians are aware that internal political realignments ahead of elections are common and must be assessed based on facts, not speculation,” Danjuma stated.
The organisation also pointed out that Chinda neither concealed his political move nor continued to exercise authority as minority leader after leaving the position.
It added that the APC acted within its rights by allowing him to contest in the primary after meeting the required conditions.
CCGEI urged the judiciary to remain focused on constitutional interpretation and documentary evidence before the court, while resisting political pressure.
The group added that attempts to disqualify Chinda through technical legal arguments could weaken democratic participation and the constitutional rights of political actors to freely associate and contest elections.