One chieftain of All Progressives Congress and close ally of the party governorship candidate for Rivers State, Chief Oby Ndukwe, don talk say Supreme Court no make any consequential orders about anybody concerning 2027 general elections.
Ndukwe yan this one on Sunday for Port Harcourt while e dey chat with LEADERSHIP. E talk say no suit dey challenge Hon. Kingsley Chinda eligibility for the coming governorship election for Rivers State.
According to am, Supreme Court don earlier rule say anything wey concern primaries na internal affair of political parties, and no be for court to decide. E talk say there is no suit challenging O. K. Chinda election or eligibility. Facts straightforward: Zenith Labour Party go court against INEC, and Supreme Court restore INEC powers based on Electoral Act and Constitution as amended.
E continue say the issue na nomination of candidates for election and membership of political parties. Every party get im own constitution, and law clear say primaries na internal matter. E mean say party fit give waivers to people to run for elections. The submission of party register to INEC, Supreme Court make am clear say Constitution get provision for am. Membership of political party na exclusive preserve of that party, depending on how e choose to conduct primaries within im constitution.
Ndukwe still talk say no outsider go decide for political party who go be im candidate. Only people wey contest primaries with O. K. Chinda fit go court challenge im candidacy. Until that happen and court decide, no threat to im candidacy. For those wey dey celebrate or dey fear, Supreme Court no make any consequential orders concerning anybody wey judgment fit affect.
But another side dey. Association of Legislative Drafting Practitioners don write INEC, asking make dem disqualify Kingsley Chinda as APC governorship candidate for Rivers State for 2027 election. Politics Nigeria report say the demand dey inside letter dated September 26, 2026, signed by ALDRAP Executive Secretary, Tonye Clinton Jaja.
The request connect to suit wey ALDRAP file before Federal High Court for Abuja, challenging parts of process wey Chinda and other APC candidates take emerge for Rivers State. Suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/972/2026 list INEC, Abdul Mahmud, APC, im national chairman, Chinda and Mariana Ajibola as respondents.
ALDRAP ask court to disqualify Chinda and APC candidates for Rivers State House of Assembly election. The association allege say party governorship and House of Assembly screening and appeal committees get people wey get political and personal relationship with Chinda. Dem specifically challenge appointment of Mahmud and Ajibola as chairmen of APC Rivers State House of Assembly screening and appeal committees.
According to ALDRAP, their alleged longstanding political and personal relationships with Chinda and people aligned with Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, create reasonable apprehension of bias and compromise impartiality of screening exercise. The association argue say the circumstances amount to violation of constitutional right to fair hearing under Section 36 of 1999 Constitution. Among reliefs, ALDRAP ask court make Chinda appear and testify under oath about im political and personal relationships with Mahmud and Ajibola.
However, for latest letter to INEC, ALDRAP call for urgent meeting involving parties to explore out-of-court settlement after Supreme Court judgment of September 24, 2026, on provisions of Electoral Act 2026. Supreme Court uphold INEC authority concerning Electoral Act provisions relating to political party membership registers and nomination of candidates. Seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro set aside earlier Court of Appeal decision and restore position of Federal High Court on constitutional validity of relevant provisions.
ALDRAP talk say judgment don bring renewed attention to legal and electoral issues around Chinda nomination. For letter addressed to INEC chairman, association say e dey seek lawful administrative resolution of issues arising from pending case and Supreme Court judgment. ALDRAP say proposed engagement no mean say INEC suppose disregard or undermine Supreme Court judgment. Instead, ALDRAP want facilitate lawful resolution of consequential issues, including status of APC governorship nomination, applicable membership-register requirements, records wey APC submit to INEC, and appropriate steps to give effect to Supreme Court decision.
The group urge INEC make e convene consultative meeting with ALDRAP, APC representatives and Chinda. Dem argue say early engagement fit prevent more litigation and help establish clarity. ALDRAP also ask electoral commission to determine administrative steps wey suppose follow from Supreme Court decision. ALDRAP believe say early resolution through constructive engagement, where legally permissible, go avoid unnecessary multiplicity of proceedings and assist INEC maintain certainty, transparency and compliance with Constitution and applicable electoral legislation.
