APC ticket: Court to decide Chinda’s fate November 4

The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has scheduled November 4, 2026, for the hearing of a legal challenge to Kingsley Chinda's nomination as the APC candidate for the 2027 Rivers State governorship election. Samuel Amatonjie, representing the suit, is contesting Chinda's eligibility to participate in the party's screening and primary, arguing that his defection from the PDP to the APC was not done correctly before the processes.

During the court hearing, Amatonjie stated that he required additional time to review and answer the processes filed by the defendants. The court adjourned the matter to November 4 to allow the plaintiff to respond to the proceedings. Amatonjie's suit is a public interest action seeking clarification on Section 68 of the Constitution regarding the defection of a National Assembly member.

He has questioned whether Chinda's defection from the PDP to the APC was completed by May 9, 2026, when he was screened for the APC primary, and May 21, when he was declared the party's candidate. Amatonjie also stated that Chinda's resignation and defection letter was not read on the House floor until June 2, 2026, and the court must determine if Chinda was constitutionally allowed to contest the election.

Chinda's legal counsel, Paul Daudu, confirmed the adjournment due to the plaintiff's need to respond to the defendants' processes. Dike Udenna, Chinda's counsel, also acknowledged the adjournment, explaining that the plaintiff requested more time to answer preliminary objections and counter-affidavits from the defendants.