Rivers 2027: ADC Chieftain Demands Proof of Legality of Chinda’s Candidacy

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has challenged the All Progressives Congress, APC, to provide documentary evidence establishing the legality of Kingsley Chinda’s candidacy for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.

Eze made the demand following a recent Supreme Court judgment that restored provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 concerning political party membership registers and the nomination of candidates.

The Supreme Court had on September 24, 2026, restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act after setting aside an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had invalidated the provisions.

The controversy surrounding Chinda’s candidacy centres partly on the timing of his membership of the APC and the party’s governorship primary held on May 21, 2026.

Chinda reportedly registered with the APC on April 27, 2026, while the party has maintained that the 24-day interval between his registration and the primary satisfied the statutory requirement.

Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Ikenga Chibike, had dismissed calls for Chinda’s disqualification, insisting that the party had no concerns about his candidacy.

However, Eze argued that the issue could not be determined merely by counting the number of days between Chinda’s reported registration and the primary.

He said the critical question was whether Chinda’s name was contained in the verified APC membership register validly submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, within the period prescribed by law.

The ADC chieftain urged the APC to make the relevant membership records and nomination documents available to INEC and, where necessary, the courts to establish that its Rivers governorship primary complied with the Electoral Act.

He maintained that political assertions should not replace documentary evidence in determining compliance with electoral laws.

The controversy has also led to legal proceedings, including a pending suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja concerning aspects of Chinda’s nomination. Another suit challenging his eligibility is pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, with the matter adjourned to November 4, 2026.

The Supreme Court judgment itself did not specifically name Chinda or order his disqualification from the 2027 Rivers governorship race. The court’s decision restored the statutory provisions governing party membership registers and candidate nomination, leaving their application to individual nominations subject to the relevant facts and legal processes.

Eze called on INEC to examine the APC’s Rivers membership register and nomination records and determine whether the party complied with the applicable legal requirements.

He said the process should be applied uniformly to all political parties and candidates ahead of the 2027 election.

The ADC chieftain stressed that the dispute should be resolved through established legal and electoral procedures rather than political pressure, as stakeholders continue preparations for the Rivers State governorship contest.