Hon. Chinda's Belated Defection and Resignation of 2nd June 2026 is a violation of the Electoral Act, 2026 and Grounds for His Disqualification"

Hon. Chinda's Belated Defection and Resignation of 2nd June 2026 is a violation of the Electoral Act, 2026 and Grounds for His Disqualification"

2nd June 2026.

Chairman,

Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC,

Abuja,

Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

ATTENTION: PROF. JOASH OJO AMUPITAN, SAN, CHAIRMAN INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION-INEC.

Dear Chairman, Sir,

REQUEST BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT, 2011: REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED TRUE COPY (CTC) OF THE REGISTER OF THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) SUBMITTED IN LINE WITH THE 10TH MAY 2026 AS EVIDENCE THAT HON. KINGSLEY OGUNDU CHINDA OUGHT TO BE DISQUALIFIED AS THE APC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF RIVERS STATE SINCE HIS NAME WAS SUBMITTED IN VIOLATION OF SECTIONS 77 AND 82 (4) OF THE ELECTORAL ACT, 2026.

We write as lawyers to the constituents of Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda who represents Ohio/Akpor Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, National Assembly.

Our Incorporated Trustees of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners-ALDRAP have filed a public interest law suit in behalf of constituents of the said Hon. Chinda

We write to request both hard copy and electronic copy of the Register of the APC as at 10th May 2026.

This request is brought pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and as requirements of Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

We seek to tender the said said CTC in the lawsuit against Hon. Chinda at the Federal High Court Abuja.

It has just been reported that today, 2nd June 2026 is the date that Hon. Chinda's defection from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) was announced on the floor of the National Assembly during plenary session. This is published online at: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/06/02/just-in-reps-minority-leader-kingsley-chinda-defects-to-apc-resigns-position/

This is a violation of both Section 68 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria dated 28th February 2025.

It also constitutes a violation of Section 77 (5) of the Electoral Act, 2026 because he is joining the APC after the APC had already submitted it's Register of Members to the Independent National Electoral Commission-INEC on 10th May 2026.

Also, there is no evidence of the dates of both his acceptance of his resignation by the PDP at the ward level in Rivers State and issuance of a new membership by the APC in Rivers State at the ward level.

It is important to note that by virtue of a judgment of the Court of Appeal dated 29th May 2026, the Emeka Beke-led faction of the APC is the recognised APC in Rivers State, whereas Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda registered with the Tony Okocha-led faction of the APC in Rivers State.

Also, we write to demand a CTC of the letters of withdrawal of both Governor Fubara and Tonye Cole in accordance with the provisions of the Section 84 (2) Electoral Act, 2026. The section states that consensus candidates must emerge after a voluntary withdrawal of other candidates.

There is written evidence that both Governor Fubara and Tonye Cole did not withdraw voluntarily but under duress such as threat of impeachment.

And even Dr. George-Kelly withdrew based on inducement.

Let us conclude that all the foregoing demands are made as public interest disclosures and requests in furtherance of our ongoing public interest lawsuit at the Federal High Court, Abuja. A copy of the lawsuit is enclosed.

We thank you in advance for your anticipated prompt and positive response.

Yours faithfully,

E-SIGNED 

Jesse Williams Amuga, Esq.,

Administrative Secretary,

Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners-ALDRAP 

cc:

1. Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives, National Assembly;

2. National Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Headquarters, Abuja, FCT;

3. Emeka Beke, Chairman, APC in Rivers State;

4. Kabiru T. Turaki, SAN, National Chairman, People's Democratic Party (PDP) Headquarters, Abuja, FCT;

5. Hon. Fred Agbedi, Leader of the PDP in the House of Representatives, National Assembly, Abuja, FCT;

6. Hon. Afam Ogene, Leader of Labour Party in the House of Representatives, National Assembly;

7. Hon. Peter Uzokwe, Leader of the African Democratic Congress in the House of Representatives, National Assembly; Abuja FCT; and 

8. Senator Seriake Dickson, Leader of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in the National Assembly, Abuja FCT.