A pro-democracy group, the Centre for Constitutional Governance and Electoral Integrity (CCGEI), has dismissed attempts to stop Kingsley Chinda, member representing Obio/Akpor federal constituency, from participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship process in Rivers state, insisting that the lawmaker complied with all constitutional and party requirements before joining the race.

The group was reacting to a suit filed at the federal high court in Abuja by the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), which asked the court to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising Chinda’s participation in the APC governorship primary.

Chinda, an ally of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emerged as the sole candidate in the APC governorship primary conducted on May 21 after Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state, withdrew from the contest hours before the exercise.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, Ibrahim Danjuma, executive director of CCGEI, described the legal action as “misleading, politically motivated and lacking constitutional substance”.

According to the group, Chinda formally resigned from his leadership position in the house of representatives and ceased performing the functions of minority leader from April 2, 2026, well within the timeframe required under existing electoral guidelines.

“The facts are straightforward and verifiable. Hon. Kingsley Chinda stepped down from his role as minority leader on April 2 and effectively disengaged from the leadership structure of the PDP before participating in the APC governorship process,” the statement reads.

“To suggest otherwise is an attempt to distort both the law and the sequence of events for political advantage.”

The group argued that Chinda’s participation in the APC primary cannot be interpreted as a constitutional violation, noting that the lawmaker acted in accordance with provisions guiding political participation and party realignment.

CCGEI added that the suit appears designed to create unnecessary political tension in Rivers state rather than protect constitutional order.

“This is clearly an effort to weaponise litigation for political ends. Nigerians are aware that internal political realignments ahead of elections are common and must be assessed based on facts, not speculation,” Danjuma said.

The organisation further noted that Chinda neither concealed his political decision nor continued to exercise authority as minority leader after stepping down from the position.

It also maintained that the APC acted within its rights by allowing him to participate in the primary after fulfilling the necessary requirements.

The group urged the judiciary to resist political pressure and focus strictly on constitutional interpretation and documentary evidence before the court.

It added that attempts to invalidate Chinda’s candidacy through technical arguments would undermine democratic participation and the rights of political actors to freely associate and contest elections under the law.

*DSS urges maximum punishment for terrorism

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday reserved judgment in the trial of five men accused of masterminding the June 5, 2022 terrorist attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

This followed the conclusion of final arguments by the prosecution and defence.

Justice Emeka Nwite fixed judgment for a date to be communicated to all parties, stating that notices would be issued once the court was ready, possibly within 24 hours.

The trial, widely seen as a major test of Nigeria’s resolve against terrorism and mass violence, has been vigorously prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS), which urged the court to impose the maximum penalty prescribed by law.
Lead prosecuting counsel, Ayodeji Adedipe (SAN), in a forceful final address, urged the court to convict the defendants and sentence them to death, stressing that the gravity and brutality of the attack demanded nothing less than the full weight of the law.

Adedipe argued that the prosecution had painstakingly established its case against the defendants through compelling evidence and detailed investigations, which he stressed reflected the determination of security agencies to ensure accountability for one of the deadliest attacks on innocent worshippers in Nigerian history.

Counsel to the defendants, Abdullahi Mohammad, however, urged the court to discharge and acquit his clients, claiming that the prosecution failed to sufficiently prove its charges.

Standing trial for the church attack are Idris Abdulmalik Omeiza, Al Qasim Idris, Jamiu Abdulmalik, Abdulhaleem Idris, and Momoh Otuho Abubakar.

The June 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo shocked the nation and drew local and international condemnation.

World leaders, including Pope Francis, United Nations Secretary general, António Guterres, the European Union, as well as the United Kingdom, condemned the attacks. The UN scribe and the Archbishop of Canterbury described the attack as “heinous”

A large section of Nigerians, including then-President Muhammadu Buhari, then- Ondo Governor Rotimi Akerodolu, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, condemmed the attack, demanded justice for the victims and tougher stance against terrorism.
Then- President Buhari declared that “the country shall never give in to evil and wicked people”.

The Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos, on Tuesday, granted leave to four persons standing trial for their roles in the deadly Angwa Rukuba attacks, to each produce five defence witnesses.
On Palm Sunday of 2026, an unspecified number of gunmen attacked Angwa Rukuba in Jos North LGA of the state, killing about 30 persons. Days later, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar aka Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar Ibrahim aka Yaroro.

The Plateau State government charged the three suspects alongside one Ado Ibrahim, said to be at large, with criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, illegal possession of firearms, and illegally dealing in arms and ammunition.

Ruling on a case management conference, the trial judge, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon granted a prayer by Ibrahim, Auwalu Dogo, and Musa Abubakar to each produce five defence witnesses.
The judge, who reiterated his promise to grant their matter accelerated hearing, said two full days would be dedicated to the testimony of each defendant’s five witnesses.
The court further ruled that the prosecution answered all the questions in the case management information sheet, and craved reliance of statements of the evidence, the defendants and their witnesses,
Justice Fwomyon also ruled that defendants shall be allowed the use of interpreters provided by them or the court, that they can challenge the admissibility of their statement, and be allowed to invite expert witnesses.
The judge, however ruled that ⁠no party shall be allowed to raise any interlocutory matter in the matter except the ones filed and adopted by the court. Interlocutory matters may be allowed in extreme circumstances, he added.

The judge listed 1st and 2nd July 2026, for hearing on the substantive matter, should the defendants fail to challenge the jurisdiction of the court.

The court decided that the defendants shall remain in custody of the DSS until the next adjourned date.
Recall that President Bola Tinubu had while recently approving a ₦2 billion relief package for victims of the Angwa Rukuba attacks, promised them justice, and to bring perpetrators of the attack to book.