By Christiana Ekpa
Fresh legal questions have emerged over the governorship ambition of Rivers lawmaker, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, as pressure mounts on the leadership of the House of Representatives to provide official records confirming his alleged defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The development follows a lawsuit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDAP), seeking to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing Chinda as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.
The group is specifically demanding evidence from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, showing that Chinda formally notified the House of his resignation from the PDP and his position as Minority Leader.
Chinda, a close political ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emerged as the APC governorship candidate after other aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Tonye Cole and Alabo Dakorinama George-Kelly, reportedly withdrew from the contest.
However, the plaintiffs argue that Chinda’s participation in the APC primary may violate constitutional provisions regulating the defection of lawmakers from one political party to another.
According to the suit, Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution outlines the legal implications for legislators who defect from the political parties under which they were elected.
To strengthen their case, the group has formally requested copies of the House Hansard, Votes and Proceedings, and Order Papers covering plenary sessions in March and April 2026 to determine whether Chinda’s resignation letter was officially read before lawmakers.
The request, dated May 26, 2026, was signed by Jesse Williams Amuga, Esq., Administrative Secretary of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners.
Part of the letter stated that the requested documents are intended to serve as evidence in the ongoing court proceedings challenging Chinda’s eligibility to contest the 2027 governorship election under the APC.
The association also claimed to be acting on behalf of constituents from Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State, where Chinda currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives.
Copies of the request were also sent to the Deputy Speaker and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, another group, the Centre for Constitutional Governance and Electoral Integrity (CCGEI), has defended Chinda’s participation in the APC process, insisting that he had already resigned as Minority Leader before taking part in the governorship primary and had since distanced himself from PDP activities.
The dispute is expected to test constitutional interpretations surrounding legislative defections, party loyalty and eligibility for elective office as political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.
