Rivers bye-election: PDP, LP, ADC do not have candidates — Electoral commissioner, Yomere

The Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Gabriel Yomere has declared that the upcoming bye-elections for Khana Constituency 2 and Ahoada East Constituency 2 in the Rivers State House of Assembly will proceed.

Rivers bye election is set to commence February 21 without candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, or African Democratic Congress (ADC) he stated.

Yomere, confirmed this during a briefing with journalists.

Speaking on electoral preparations, he noted that the absence of these political heavyweights is due to a combination of internal and procedural challenges within the parties.

The two Assembly seats have been vacant for more than two years.

The seat for Khana Constituency 2 became vacant following the death of Dinebari Loolo in September 2023, while Ahoada East Constituency 2 was left unoccupied after Edison Ehie resigned in December 2023 to assume the role of Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor.

Twelve candidates from seven smaller political parties are now vying for the vacant positions, giving voters in the affected constituencies a long-awaited opportunity to elect their representatives.

Professor Yomere reassured residents that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finalized all logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth election.

He also stressed that all Supervisory Presiding Officers (SPOs) are permanent INEC staff, not Corps members, underlining the commission’s commitment to credibility