Rivers 2027: Group Demands Disqualification of APC Governorship Candidate Kingsley Chinda After Supreme Court Ruling

A advocacy organization, the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Resources (ALDRAP), has officially written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) requesting the disqualification of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State.

The petition follows a recent judgment by the Supreme Court of Nigeria regarding compliance with primary election guidelines and internal party membership registers.

In a formal letter signed by ALDRAP Executive Secretary, Dr. Tonye Clinton Jaja, the group asked the electoral umpire to act on the legal consequences of the apex court decision. The group stated that the ruling directly impacts the legitimacy of the APC candidate selection process in Rivers State.

Legal Grounds Raised in the Petition to INEC

The petition ties into an existing court case filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/972/2026. In the suit, ALDRAP named several key parties as respondents, including INEC, the APC, the APC National Chairman, Kingsley Chinda, Abdul Mahmud, and Mariana Ajibola.

ALDRAP argues that the party screening and appeal processes leading to Chinda’s nomination violated constitutional standards of fairness.

Key issues raised in the group petition include:

• Conflict of Interest and Bias: ALDRAP contends that Abdul Mahmud and Mariana Ajibola, who headed the APC Rivers State screening and appeal committees, share close personal and political ties with Chinda.
• Violation of Fair Hearing: The group argues that these appointments violate Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
• Party Register Non-Compliance: The petition highlights discrepancies regarding party membership records submitted to INEC relative to the guidelines upheld by the Supreme Court.

Seeking Administrative Settlement Before Election Day

ALDRAP noted that its demand aims to prevent unnecessary post-election litigation. The group requested an urgent consultative meeting with INEC officials and political stakeholders to discuss an out-of-court administrative resolution.

Dr. Jaja stated that the letter does not ask INEC to override judicial authority. Instead, it seeks administrative compliance with established electoral laws to ensure transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

INEC has acknowledged receipt of the correspondence as legal experts and political observers monitor how the electoral body will address candidates affected by the Supreme Court precedent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is ALDRAP asking INEC to disqualify Kingsley Chinda?

ALDRAP asserts that Kingsley Chinda’s nomination as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State violated Section 36(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution due to procedural bias during internal party screening. They also claim the nomination fails to meet standards recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

What was the key outcome of the recent Supreme Court judgment?

The Supreme Court ruling reinforced strict compliance regarding political party membership registers, candidate screening protocols, and internal democracy during party primaries.

Has INEC officially disqualified Kingsley Chinda?

INEC has not issued an official disqualification order. The commission is reviewing the judgment and the petitions submitted by legal entities.

This video covers the latest updates on Supreme Court ruling on APC candidate selection in Rivers State to provide crucial context on how apex court decisions are impacting governorship nominations.