A group of lawyers has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, from participating in the 2027 election.
The development has sparked a fresh political crisis in the state.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after the party’s primary election held on May 21, 2026.
The lawmaker, who is regarded as an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, stood as the sole aspirant in the primary following the last-minute withdrawal of other contenders, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly.
His emergence has, however, raised fresh questions over his political status, as he is said to still occupy the position of Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, a position linked to his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the suit filed before the Abuja Federal High Court, the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners asked the court to stop Chinda from taking part in the Rivers governorship election.
The group, which said some of its members are from Chinda’s Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, argued that his alleged defection from the PDP to the APC did not comply with the Electoral Act 2026, as amended, and existing judicial pronouncements on the defection of lawmakers.
According to court documents, the suit was filed on May 12, 2026, by J. B. Lamay, Esq, on behalf of the plaintiff.
The group initially asked the court to restrain Chinda from participating in the APC governorship primary. It also prayed the court that, if he emerged as the party’s candidate, he should be barred from participating in the general election.
Listed as respondents in the suit are Chinda; George-Kelly; the Independent National Electoral Commission; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; the APC; the Department of State Services; and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Group Seeks Removal As Minority Leader
Apart from seeking to stop Chinda’s governorship ambition, the plaintiff also asked the court to direct the Speaker of the House of Representatives to remove him as Minority Leader.
The group alleged that Chinda could not continue to enjoy a legislative position tied to one political party while allegedly participating in the governorship activities of another party.
It also asked the court to declare his seat vacant and direct INEC to conduct a by-election to fill the alleged vacancy.
The plaintiff based its request on Chinda’s alleged violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution and a Supreme Court judgment of February 27, 2025, which it said laid down the procedure for defection by legislators.
The plaintiff also asked the court to direct the national leadership of the APC to reject and prevent Chinda and George-Kelly from participating in the Rivers State governorship primary.
In George-Kelly’s case, the group alleged that he failed to resign as Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency in line with a directive that presidential appointees seeking elective offices in the 2027 elections should resign by March 30, 2026.
However, George-Kelly later withdrew from the primary, leaving Chinda as the APC candidate.
The lawyers specifically asked the court for “an order directing INEC not to recognize or accord validity to the participation, nomination and/or candidature of the 1st and 2nd defendants/respondents (Chinda and George-Kelly) in the APC Rivers State governorship primary election” pending the determination of the suit.
In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, Jesse Amuga, Administrative Secretary of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners, said the group believed Chinda’s continued stay in office while taking part in APC governorship activities was unlawful.
Amuga stated that “the plaintiff reasonably believes that the continued occupation of legislative office by the 1st Defendant/Respondent (Chinda) while simultaneously participating in APC governorship activities is unconstitutional, unlawful and contrary to democratic ethics and constitutional order.”
The plaintiff also claimed that lawyers representing Chinda’s constituents had, in October 2025, served him a pre-action notice warning that they would begin a recall process against him if he defected from the PDP to the APC.
According to the plaintiff, Chinda allegedly went ahead with the defection in April 2026, a development it said prompted the lawsuit.
The case adds another layer to the political tension in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Chinda’s emergence as the APC candidate came amid intense political realignments in the state and the continued influence of Wike’s allies within the political structure.
The APC primary had earlier drawn attention after other major aspirants withdrew shortly before the exercise, clearing the way for Chinda to emerge as the party’s candidate.
The court has now been asked to determine whether his alleged movement from the PDP to the APC, while still occupying his seat and position in the House of Representatives, can stand under the law.
No date has been announced for the hearing of the suit.