The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has rejected reports circulating on social media that the Supreme Court has nullified the governorship candidacy of Kingsley Chinda, popularly known as O.K. Chinda.
The party said Chinda remains its candidate for the Rivers State governorship election and maintained that the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning political-party membership registers did not invalidate his nomination.
Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, made the clarification in a telephone interview, describing the reports as unfounded.
Party Cites Supreme Court Judgment
Ikenga said the Supreme Court’s September 24, 2026 judgment did not contain any order specifically cancelling Chinda’s candidacy.
The clarification followed speculation over whether the court’s interpretation of provisions governing party membership registers could affect Chinda’s eligibility.
The Supreme Court judgment dealt with requirements under the Electoral Act concerning political parties’ submission of verified membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of party primaries.
The controversy partly centres on the timing of Chinda’s movement from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC and the subsequent submission of party membership records.
Ikenga, however, said the APC had complied with the applicable requirements and that Chinda’s candidacy remained intact.
Party Dismisses Social Media Reports
The Rivers APC spokesman urged party supporters and members of the public not to rely on unverified reports circulating online.
He maintained that the party’s governorship candidate had met the requirements prescribed by the relevant electoral framework and remained cleared to contest.
The dispute highlights the legal scrutiny surrounding political-party nominations ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly following the Supreme Court’s recent interpretation of statutory requirements governing party membership registers.
As of the latest clarification from the Rivers APC, there is no reported Supreme Court order specifically nullifying Chinda’s governorship nomination.