Politics

Rivers political governorship crisis takes new twist

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The political governorship crisis in Rivers State has taken a new twist.

This followed an application before a Federal High Court in Abuja to stop the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, from participating in the 2027 election.

Chinda, a known ally of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, emerged as the APC governorship candidate in the party’s primary election on May 21, 2026.

Chinda stood as the sole candidate in the election following the withdrawal of other contestants – incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly.

The plaintiffs are lawyers under the umbrella of Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners filed the suit on May 12.

Also, the plaintiffs are seeking an order directing INEC to conduct a
bye-election to fill the said vacancy due to Chinda’s alleged violation of Section 68 Subsection 1g of the 1999 Constitution.

They also alleged that Chinda had violated the Supreme Court judgment of 27th February 2025 that stipulates the steps for defection by legislators.

Furthermore, the lawyers also asked the court to order the Speaker of the House of Representatives to immediately remove him as Minority Leader due to dual party membership, and declare his seat vacant.

It may also interest you to know that Chinda is also serving as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, a position he occupies due to his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.