Group decline calls to disqualify Chinda Rivers APC governorship candidate

The Parliament Support Network (PSN), a civil society organisation, has opposed calls for the disqualification of Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State.

The group made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its National President, Maxwell Idoko.

PSN described the campaign against Chinda’s candidacy as politically motivated, arguing that efforts to revisit issues surrounding his nomination should not be used to distract from what it said was his compliance with relevant electoral requirements.

The organisation urged that the issues surrounding the APC candidate’s eligibility be considered based on the applicable electoral provisions.

The statement followed a request by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP) asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disqualify Chinda following last week’s supreme court judgement on provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 relating to political party membership registers and candidate nomination.

The PSN said the judgement should be applied according to its actual legal effect rather than used as a basis for creating a fresh dispute over Chinda’s candidacy.

“The attempt to manufacture a disqualification where none has been established is, in our view, a distraction from the substance of the Supreme Court’s decision,” the statement reads.

“Nigerians deserve to see the law applied objectively and consistently, rather than having every political development turned into an excuse to reopen a settled nomination process.”

‘CHINDA MET 21-DAY REQUIREMENT’

The group also cited the position of the Rivers APC, which has maintained that Chinda registered with the party 24 days before the governorship primary.

It said the period exceeded the 21-day requirement referenced in the interpretation of the restored provisions.

“The relevant question is not whether some individuals are uncomfortable with Hon. Kingsley Chinda’s emergence, but whether the legal requirements governing his nomination were satisfied,” the PSN said.

“The Rivers APC has stated that he became a member of the party 24 days before the primary, while the applicable requirement is 21 days.

“That factual position cannot simply be wished away because some interests are demanding his removal from the ballot.”

The PSN accused unnamed political interests of being unsettled by what it described as Chinda’s growing political profile in Rivers and alleged that some opponents are working to prevent his emergence.

The group said voters should be allowed to assess candidates through the electoral process rather than through what it described as attempts to manufacture legal controversies around their candidacies.

“We are concerned that those who are uncomfortable with Hon. Chinda’s rising political profile and those who do not want to see Rivers state make progress are now attempting to manufacture a disqualification narrative around his candidacy,” the CSO said.

“Political disagreements are legitimate, but they should not be converted into legal claims without a solid factual and legal foundation.”

The PSN also urged INEC to maintain neutrality and allow the courts to determine any genuine legal dispute arising from the nomination process.

It said the supreme court’s restoration of sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the electoral Act 2026 did not, by itself, amount to a judicial declaration that Chinda was disqualified from contesting the Rivers governorship election.

“The electoral process must be protected from unnecessary disruption,” the group said.

“If anyone has a genuine legal objection, the appropriate thing is to present the evidence before the competent court rather than attempt to create a disqualification by public pressure. Hon. Chinda’s candidacy should be determined by the law and the established electoral process.”

The PSN called on political actors and civic organisations to allow INEC and the courts to perform their constitutional responsibilities without intimidation or political pressure.

The group said attention should remain on issues affecting residents of Rivers state ahead of the 2027 election.

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