Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced candidates of All Progressives Congress as winners of the two Rivers State House of Assembly by-elections conducted on Saturday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the polls recorded extremely low opposition presence following the absence of major political parties from the ballot. The elections were held to fill the vacant seats of Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
After the conclusion of voting and collation of results, INEC declared Napoleon Ukalikpe of the APC as the winner of Ahoada East Constituency II seat, having secured 3,980 votes. His closest rival, Godstime Egor of the Allied Peoples Movement, managed only 38 votes in the contest.
In Khana Constituency II election, Bulabari Henrietta Loolo, also of the APC, emerged victorious with a total of 7,647 votes, defeating Anthony Ndor of the Zenith Labour Party, who polled just 47 votes. The landslide victories further strengthened the APC’s grip on legislative representation in the state.
The Ahoada East Constituency II seat became vacant following the resignation of Ehie Edison, who was recently appointed as Chief of Staff to Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State. Meanwhile, the Khana Constituency II seat had remained vacant since September 2023 following the death of Dinebari Loolo, prompting the need for a by-election to restore representation for the constituency.
Observers noted that African Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, and Labour Party were not listed on the ballot papers, a development that significantly reduced electoral competition.
The absence of these major political parties raised concerns among political analysts and civil society groups about voter choice, democratic inclusiveness, and the overall competitiveness of the elections.
Despite the limited party participation, INEC said the elections were conducted in line with established guidelines, with security agencies deployed across the affected areas to maintain peace and ensure a smooth process. The commission added that materials arrived early, voting commenced on schedule, and results were transparently collated.
