Fresh Legal Battle As Court Takes Up Suit Against Chinda’s Eligibility

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has adjourned hearing in a suit challenging the eligibility of Kingsley Chinda to contest the 2027 Rivers State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to Bush Radio Academy, the case was filed by Samuel Amatonjie against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chinda, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Clerk of the National Assembly.

Amatonjie is challenging Chinda’s eligibility on the grounds that his defection from the PDP to the APC allegedly breached Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The plaintiff argued that the alleged constitutional violation occurred before Chinda participated in the APC’s screening and governorship primary process.

The suit, marked FHC/PH/CS/3/2026, came up before Justice Mohammed Turaki, but proceedings were adjourned until November 4, 2026.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Amatonjie informed the court that he had received processes filed by some of the defendants on September 28 and requested additional time to study the documents and respond.

The request was granted, leading the court to fix November 4 for further hearing.

Speaking to journalists outside the courtroom, Amatonjie described the case as a public-interest matter seeking judicial interpretation of Section 68 of the Constitution in relation to the defection of serving members of the National Assembly.

He maintained that Chinda’s resignation and defection from the PDP to the APC was announced on the floor of the House of Representatives by the Speaker on June 2, 2026.

Amatonjie further argued that if the court grants the reliefs sought, Chinda should be prevented from contesting the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.

Meanwhile, counsel to the PDP, Paul Daudu (SAN), confirmed that the matter was adjourned at the plaintiff’s request to enable him to respond to processes filed by the defendants.

Daudu explained that the plaintiff had sought more time to respond to preliminary objections and other documents submitted by the defendants.

Counsel representing Chinda, Dike Udenna, also confirmed the adjournment, stating that the plaintiff requested additional time to respond to the preliminary objections and counter-affidavits before the court.

The court is now expected to hear the matter on November 4, when the parties return to continue proceedings.