Rivers 2027: Court Orders Probe Into Kingsley Chinda’s Eligibility As APC Candidate

A Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to produce documents relating to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in the state.

The order followed an application filed by Samuel Amatonjie, who is challenging the eligibility of the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, over questions surrounding his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Bush Radio Academy, Amatonjie requested certified true copies of the APC membership register submitted to INEC on April 20, 2026, as well as a letter through which the party notified the electoral commission of its planned governorship primary.

The court also issued a subpoena directing the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Clerk to the National Assembly to provide certified copies of the House of Representatives’ Hansard covering proceedings between April and June 2, 2026.

The plaintiff is asking the court to interpret Sections 68 and 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution to determine whether Chinda had validly defected from the PDP to the APC as of May 9, 2026, when he was screened and declared the party’s governorship candidate.

When the case came up on Wednesday, Amatonjie explained why the requested documents were necessary for his legal challenge. After considering the applications, Justice Muhammed Turaki granted the requests.

However, counsel representing the PDP, Paul Daudu (SAN), and Chinda’s lawyer, Dike Udenna, requested additional time to study the plaintiff’s response to their preliminary objection.

The lawyers complained that they had received the response late, making it difficult to prepare their replies before the scheduled proceedings.

Justice Turaki subsequently directed all parties to file and exchange the necessary court processes before adjourning the matter until December 10, 2026, for hearing.

Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, Daudu explained that the defence had earlier filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the suit on September 29.

He said the plaintiff’s response was only served on them the previous day, adding that they were entitled to time to examine the arguments and prepare their reply.

Amatonjie, on his part, explained that the subpoenas were necessary to obtain official records from INEC and the National Assembly that could help establish the facts surrounding his challenge.

The case is expected to determine important legal questions surrounding Chinda’s defection and eligibility to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the APC platform.

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