The Rivers State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Kingsley Ogundu Chinda is no longer qualified to contest the 2027 election, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment on electoral compliance. The ruling, delivered on September 24, emphasized strict adherence to Section 77(5) and (6) of the Electoral Act, which mandates political parties to submit their verified membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at least 21 days before conducting primary elections. This legal requirement forms the basis of the ADC’s claim that Chinda’s candidacy is invalid.
Chizi Enyi, Publicity Secretary of the ADC in Rivers State, made the assertion in a video shared on X, stating that Chinda joined the APC on April 27, while the party held its primary election for national assembly aspirants on May 16. According to Enyi, only 19 days elapsed between Chinda’s registration and the primary, falling short of the mandatory 21-day notice period required by law. He argued that if the APC submitted its membership register after Chinda’s admission into the party, then his name would not have been included in the official list presented to INEC, thereby disqualifying him from contesting.
Enyi further pointed out that reports from April 24 indicated the APC had already submitted its register to INEC before the deadline was extended to May 10. This, he noted, means Chinda became a member after the submission window had closed. “This means that all the House of Representatives candidates of APC may not be qualified to run in the election if APC submitted its register after Chinda joined,” he stated. He questioned whether the APC submitted multiple registers to INEC, implying a possible breach of electoral rules.
The Supreme Court’s decision has ignited widespread debate across Nigeria’s political landscape, with several stakeholders re-evaluating the eligibility of candidates who participated in primaries conducted under similar timelines. The ADC’s stance highlights concerns about transparency and legal compliance in Nigeria’s electoral process. While the APC has yet to respond officially to these claims, the issue raises critical questions about how political parties manage candidate registrations and adhere to statutory requirements.
As the 2027 general elections approach, this development could influence voter perception and legal challenges in the coming months. The case underscores the importance of procedural integrity in Nigeria’s democracy and may prompt INEC to enforce stricter oversight during future party primaries.
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