Rivers State ADC Says Supreme Court Could Have Consequences For Chinda's Candidacy

Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the Supreme Court ruling could have consequences for Kingsley Ogundu Chinda's candidacy.

Chinda is an ally of Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the 2027 election.

Recently, the Supreme Court ruling restored Sections 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act. These sections require political parties to provide their verified membership lists to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days prior to their primary elections.

Chizi Enyi, the Publicity Secretary of the Rivers ADC, stated that the ruling could have consequences for Chinda's candidacy. He pointed out that Chinda joined the APC on April 27, just 19 days before the party's National Assembly primary on May 16, falling short of the 21-day requirement mandated by law.

Enyi also raised concerns about whether Chinda's name was included in the APC's membership list submitted to INEC before the primary. He alleged that the APC may have submitted its membership register prior to Chinda's joining, thus questioning whether a different register was later sent to INEC.

He argued that if Chinda's name was not in the register submitted within the necessary timeframe, his participation in the primary could face legal challenges. Enyi suggested that this issue might also impact other APC candidates who participated around the same time.