The Rivers Development Agenda (RDA) has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) against the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, describing the action as political mischief and an abuse of judicial process.
In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Barr. Godpower Duke, the group said the suit was a desperate attempt at grandstanding and lacked any legal basis.
According to the RDA, contrary to the claims made by ALDRAP, Chinda complied with all constitutional and legal requirements before participating in the APC governorship primary election.
The group further accused ALDRAP of embarking on a “fishing expedition” through what it described as frivolous demands for parliamentary records, including Hansards and Votes and Proceedings, arguing that the association’s sudden interest in the internal affairs of a political party raises questions about its motives.
The statement maintained that Chinda satisfied the provisions of Section 177 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which outlines the qualifications for election as governor. It also stated that he met the requirements of Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2026, as his name was included in the APC membership register submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), thereby qualifying him to vote and contest in the party’s governorship primary in Rivers State.
The Rivers Development Agenda also rejected claims that Chinda’s eligibility could be questioned on the basis of party defection procedures, arguing that there is no constitutional or statutory provision requiring a legislator’s defection to be formally announced on the floor of a legislative chamber before it becomes valid.
The group insisted that the suit was without merit and expressed confidence that the courts would uphold the law and dismiss what it described as a politically motivated challenge.
