The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally included Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State in the 2027 general elections.
According to the final list released by the electoral body on Saturday, Chinda’s name appears among 17 governorship candidates cleared to contest in the state . The document, signed by INEC Secretary Rose Oriaran-Anthony, lists Chinda alongside his running mate, Jack Major Miakiapuye .
Background
Chinda, a serving member of the House of Representatives representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after the party’s primary held on May 21, 2026. He was the sole aspirant in the exercise following the withdrawal of other contenders, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole, and George Kelly .
The primary returning officer, Bitrus Kwamoti, declared Chinda the winner with 268,497 votes across the state’s 23 local government areas .
Legal Controversy
Chinda’s continued inclusion on the INEC list comes amid ongoing legal and political controversies surrounding his eligibility. A Supreme Court judgment delivered in late September 2026, which upheld certain provisions of the Electoral Act, intensified the debate .
The court’s decision restored sections of the Electoral Act requiring political parties to submit their verified membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before conducting primary elections . Critics, including the Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), have alleged that Chinda joined the APC only 19 days before the primary, falling short of the mandatory threshold .
However, the Rivers APC has firmly rejected calls challenging Chinda’s candidacy, insisting that he registered as a party member 24 days before the primary, exceeding the 21-day requirement, and that the judgment does not invalidate his nomination .
Full List of Candidates
The final list includes candidates from 17 political parties. Notable names include Pidomson Gabriel Baritulem of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ejekwu Samuel Soni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Lulu-Briggs Dumo Owukori of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) .
West Ivy of the African Action Congress (AAC) is the only female governorship candidate on the list, while six of the 17 deputy governorship candidates are women .
Legal Challenges Pending
Legal challenges to Chinda’s nomination are still pending in court, with one suit at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt adjourned to November 4, 2026 . The Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) has also asked INEC to disqualify Chinda, calling for an urgent meeting to explore an out-of-court settlement .
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