According to Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner Professor Gabriel Yomere, the forthcoming bye-elections for the Rivers State House of Assembly’s Khana Constituency 2 and Ahoada East Constituency 2 will go ahead.
Without candidates from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party, or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he said, the Rivers bye election is scheduled to start on February 21.
Yomere attested to this during a press appearance.
When discussing election preparations, he pointed out that a mix of internal and procedural issues among the parties is to blame for the absence of these political titans.
More than two years have passed since the two Assembly seats were vacant.
Edison Ehie resigned in December 2023 to take the position of Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, leaving Ahoada East Constituency 2 vacant and Khana Constituency 2 vacant after Dinebari Loolo passed away in September 2023.
The long-awaited chance for voters in the impacted areas to choose their MPs has arrived as twelve candidates from seven smaller political parties are now competing for the open seats.
In order to guarantee a seamless election, Professor Yomere assured the populace that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had completed all logistical preparations.
Additionally, he emphasized that all Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) are permanent INEC employees rather than Corps members, demonstrating the commission’s dedication to legitimacy.
