INEC Clears Chinda for Rivers 2027 Governorship

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cleared Kingsley Chinda for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election, listing him among 19 candidates released on Saturday.

Chinda, who previously served as minority leader of the House of Representatives, was listed at number five.

He was formerly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming election has attracted attention, as news of his defection to the ruling party did not receive widespread publicity.

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Interest in Chinda and other prominent political figures grew after the Supreme Court restored Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act 2026.

INEC Clears Chinda for Rivers 2027 Governorship (NewsCentral TV) — Kingsley Chinda Credit: Daily Trust

The provisions address compliance with political parties’ membership registers and the eligibility of members to participate in party primaries, congresses and conventions. They also set out consequences for failing to meet the statutory requirements for submitting membership registers to INEC.

Despite the scrutiny surrounding his political affiliation and emergence as the APC candidate, Chinda appeared on the electoral commission’s final list of governorship candidates for Rivers State.

He is an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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Toyibat Ajose

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