The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed reports that a recent Supreme Court judgment suggests its 2027 governorship candidate, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, is not qualified to contest, describing it as baseless.
The apex court, in a judgment delivered on September 24, 2026, stressed compliance with Section 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act. The provisions require political parties to submit a verified register of members to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before conducting primary elections.
The ruling has triggered a legal and political debate over whether it affects Chinda’s bid to contest the 2027 Rivers governorship election on the APC platform.
Reacting on Sunday, Rivers APC Publicity Secretary Ikenga Chibike rejected the controversy, stating that the party has no problem with Chinda’s candidacy.
Chibike said the Supreme Court judgment requires a candidate to have been a party member for at least 21 days before the primary, and that Chinda registered with the APC 24 days before the May 21 primary.
“There is no atom of truth in that. They said 21 days, and Hon. Chinda’s timing was 24 days when you calculate it.
“So, we have no challenges with our party candidate. We are praying that the Rainbow Coalition endorsement should be him, then we move on to winning the election,” he said.
