The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) will not feature on the ballot in the February 21, 2026 bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The disclosure was made on Thursday by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Gabriel Yomere, during a press briefing on the commission’s preparedness for the polls.
According to INEC, the PDP did not present candidates for the elections, reportedly due to its political alignment under the Rainbow Coalition with the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Labour Party is said to be entangled in a leadership dispute, while the ADC allegedly failed to register its candidates within the stipulated timeframe.
12 Candidates Cleared
INEC confirmed that seven political parties have successfully fielded candidates for the two vacant Assembly seats. They are the Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Congress (APC), All Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
For the Ahoada East II seat, the candidates are:
- Egor Marvelous (AA)
- Ukalikpe Napoleon Nyemodumakpo (APC)
- Godstime Egor (APM)
- Oseja Amezhi Clifford (BP)
- Ephraim Raphael Ede (NNPP)
- Ogide Samson Greatman (YPP)
- Okwodu Saturday Prosper (ZLP)
In Khana II, the contest will feature:
- Nwakpang Meesua Victor (AA)
- Loolo Bulabari Henrietta (APC)
- Yormii Justice Barasima (NNPP)
- Celestine Taagaloobari Gideon (YPP)
- Anthony Meneyii Ndor (ZLP)
Loolo Bulabari Henrietta of the APC is the only female candidate in the race and is seeking to fill the Khana II seat formerly occupied by her late husband, Dinebari Loolo.
Voting Guidelines
In a separate statement, INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity in Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemu, outlined the voting procedures for the exercise.
“Only registered voters with valid Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) will be allowed to vote, and accreditation will be conducted using the BVAS. Remember, No PVC, No voting,” Ekelemu stated.
She added that accreditation and voting will commence at 8:30 a.m. across all designated polling units in the affected constituencies.
“INEC urges all eligible voters in the affected constituencies to turn out peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility,” she said.
Security Assurances
As part of preparations, REC Gabriel Yomere also chaired an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting to brief security agencies on the commission’s readiness.
He assured stakeholders that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure a safe and credible electoral process.
With key opposition parties absent from the ballot, attention now shifts to the remaining contenders as voters in Ahoada East II and Khana II prepare to elect new representatives this Saturday.
