The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has been approached by the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) to rule that the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot field a candidate for the Rivers State governorship election scheduled for 6 February 2027. The petition, filed under case number FHC/PH/CS/193/2026, also seeks an order directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strike the APC and its nominee from the official list of parties eligible to contest the poll.
What relief are the plaintiffs seeking?
The PRP, represented by its gubernatorial candidate Hon. Kieghe Nature Dumale, is asking the court for two specific outcomes: (1) a declaration that the APC is disqualified from presenting a candidate for the 2027 governorship election, and (2) a directive compelling INEC to remove the APC and its candidate from the roster of parties permitted to contest the election.
What legal basis underpins the challenge?
In an 18‑paragraph affidavit, Dumale contended that a Supreme Court judgment delivered on 24 September 2026 in the case of INEC v. Zenith Labour Party (Appeal No. SC/CV/495/2026) examined the constitutionality of Sections 77(5)‑(7) of the Electoral Act, 2026. The ruling affirmed INEC’s authority to enforce compliance with those sections and to sanction parties that fail to meet the requirements. INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan subsequently announced that the commission would study the judgment to ensure adherence.
How did INEC handle the APC’s compliance?
According to the affidavit, instead of reviewing its own records to verify whether the APC had satisfied the statutory conditions, INEC published a final list of parties and candidates for the Rivers governorship election. The list, attached as Exhibit ‘A’, was released on 13 October 2026, with INEC stating that, under Section 287(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), it had applied the Supreme Court decision by excluding parties that did not comply with Sections 77(5)‑(7) of the Electoral Act.
What evidence does the plaintiff present?
The affidavit notes that the APC sent a letter on 20 April 2026 indicating that its primaries would begin on 15 May 2026, together with a Register of Members covering Ward 3(B) of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. The register, exhibited as ‘E’, shows Ibrahim Haruna as the last member registered on 8 February 2026 (Serial No. 194, ID APC32 1505001394). The document does not list Chinda Kingsley Ogundu, yet the APC later submitted Ogundu’s name as its primary winner on 21 May 2026. The plaintiff argues that this discrepancy demonstrates non‑compliance with the electoral timetable.
What contradictory evidence exists?
The affidavit also includes a Register of Members from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the same locality, displayed as Exhibit ‘G’, where Chinda Kingsley Ogundu appears as a PDP member (No. 74917). This suggests that Ogundu was not a bona‑fide APC member at the relevant time, further supporting the claim that the APC breached the electoral act.
The court has not yet set a hearing date for the matter. The outcome will determine whether the APC can remain on INEC’s list of parties eligible to contest the 2027 Rivers State governorship election.
Sources: Federal High Court, Port Harcourt; Independent National Electoral Commission; Supreme Court judgment SC/CV/495/2026; Peoples Redemption Party affidavit.