ADC, LP, PDP not on ballot as 7 parties vie for Rivers’ bye-elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Labour Party (LP) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will not be on ballot on February 21, 2026 when the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC conducts bye-elections for the Ahoada East II and Khana II House of Assembly seats in Rivers State.

This became clear on Thursday as Gabriel Yomere, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State, briefed the press on the commission’s preparedness for the bye-elections.

Our correspondent gathered that the PDP did not present candidates for the elections, possibly following its Rainbow Coalition with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Labour Party is enmeshed in a legal tussle over leadership issues, the commission said, while the ADC reportedly did not register its candidates within the stipulated timeframe.

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) have presented 12 candidates for the two Assembly seats.

Egor Marvelous (AA), Ukalikpe Napoleon Nyemodumakpo (APC), Godstime Egor (APM), Oseja Amezhi Clifford (BP), Ephraim Raphael Ede (NNPP), Ogide Samson Greatman (YPP) and Okwodu Saturday Prosper (ZLP) are contesting for the Ahoada East II seat.

Nwakpang Meesua Victor (AA), Loolo Bulabari Henrietta (APC), Yormii Justice Barasima (NNPP), Celestine Taagaloobari Gideon (YPP) and Anthony Meneyii Ndor (ZLP) will be on the ballot for Khana II.

Bulabari Henrietta Loolo (APC), the only female in the race, has been described by analysts as the favourite for Khana II seat formerly occupied by her late husband, Dinebari Loolo.

Geraldine Ekelemu, INEC’s head, Voter Education & Publicity, in a release, however, said that accreditation of voters and actual voting will commence on Saturday February 21 at all the designated Polling units in the affected constituencies by 8.30am.

“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.

“INEC urges all eligible voters in the affected constituencies to turn out peacefully and exercise their civic responsibility,” Ekelemu said.

Yomere, Rivers REC, also led the ICCES Meeting on Thursday, aimed at updating security agencies on INEC’s preparedness for the bye-elections.

He had earlier allayed fears over the safe conduct of the bye-elections in Rivers State.