Features
INEC sets date for Rivers Bye-Elections
Written By: Chisom Onyibe
23 Dec 2025 08:29 PM
Ahoada, Rivers – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies in Rivers State will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
The decision was formalized during an extraordinary meeting of the commission held on Monday, December 22, 2025, in Abuja, as stated by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC's Information, Voter Education, and Publicity Committee.
The bye-elections are necessitated by vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The vacancy in Ahoada East II arose following the resignation of its representative, while the Khana II seat became vacant due to the death of its lawmaker.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly formally notified INEC of these vacancies, triggering the commission's constitutional mandate under Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to conduct bye-elections to fill the positions.
INEC has released a detailed timetable for the electoral process. The official notice of the elections will be published on January 22, 2026.
Political parties are scheduled to conduct their primaries and resolve any related disputes between January 23 and January 27, 2026. Campaign activities will commence on February 8, 2026, and conclude on February 19, 2026, providing a two-day window before the polls.
The vacancy in Ahoada East II is linked to the resignation of Ehie Edison, a key figure in the prolonged political feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ehie’s departure followed a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the crisis, which had led to a split in the state assembly, arson attacks on local government secretariats, and a six-month state of emergency.
The Khana II vacancy, caused by the death of its lawmaker, further underscores the need for timely electoral action to ensure representation.
INEC has urged political parties, candidates, and stakeholders to adhere to the approved schedule and conduct themselves in line with electoral laws. The commission emphasized its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election, with preparations already underway to ensure logistical and security arrangements are in place.
Residents of Ahoada East II and Khana II are keenly awaiting the bye-elections, which are seen as a critical step toward restoring full legislative representation and addressing the political instability that has plagued Rivers State in recent months.
As the date approaches, all eyes will be on INEC to execute a seamless electoral process.
The decision was formalized during an extraordinary meeting of the commission held on Monday, December 22, 2025, in Abuja, as stated by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC's Information, Voter Education, and Publicity Committee.
The bye-elections are necessitated by vacancies in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The vacancy in Ahoada East II arose following the resignation of its representative, while the Khana II seat became vacant due to the death of its lawmaker.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly formally notified INEC of these vacancies, triggering the commission's constitutional mandate under Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to conduct bye-elections to fill the positions.
INEC has released a detailed timetable for the electoral process. The official notice of the elections will be published on January 22, 2026.
Political parties are scheduled to conduct their primaries and resolve any related disputes between January 23 and January 27, 2026. Campaign activities will commence on February 8, 2026, and conclude on February 19, 2026, providing a two-day window before the polls.
The vacancy in Ahoada East II is linked to the resignation of Ehie Edison, a key figure in the prolonged political feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Ehie’s departure followed a peace deal brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the crisis, which had led to a split in the state assembly, arson attacks on local government secretariats, and a six-month state of emergency.
The Khana II vacancy, caused by the death of its lawmaker, further underscores the need for timely electoral action to ensure representation.
INEC has urged political parties, candidates, and stakeholders to adhere to the approved schedule and conduct themselves in line with electoral laws. The commission emphasized its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election, with preparations already underway to ensure logistical and security arrangements are in place.
Residents of Ahoada East II and Khana II are keenly awaiting the bye-elections, which are seen as a critical step toward restoring full legislative representation and addressing the political instability that has plagued Rivers State in recent months.
As the date approaches, all eyes will be on INEC to execute a seamless electoral process.
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