APC sweeps Rivers assembly by-elections

Candidates of the All Progressives Congress have won the House of Assembly by-elections held in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 in Rivers State.

Announcing the results, the Returning Officer, Rosemary Ogbo, said the APC candidates — Napoleon Ukalikpe and Burabari Loloo — secured the highest number of valid votes and met the requirements of the law.

In Ahoada East Constituency 2, Ukalikpe polled 3,980 votes to defeat other contestants, including Ego Marvelous of the Action Alliance with 33 votes and Godstime Egor of the Action Party of Nigeria with 38 votes, alongside candidates of other parties who recorded single-digit tallies. Ogbo subsequently declared Ukalikpe duly elected.

For Khana Constituency 2, Loloo won with 7,647 votes, beating candidates of several opposition parties to clinch the seat.

Speaking after the declaration, Loloo pledged inclusive representation, promising to carry constituents along in governance. Ukalikpe also expressed satisfaction with voter turnout and the conduct of the exercise, describing the process as smooth and peaceful while commending security arrangements.

Observers, however, reported low voter turnout in parts of Ahoada East, including some polling units in Ogbelle Town, where few voters were seen despite movement restrictions.

At the collation centre in Taabaa, Khana Local Government Area, security personnel maintained order as election officials sorted and verified results in line with guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, described the by-elections as peaceful and orderly, noting that the process progressed without incidents of violence. He attributed voter apathy in some areas to factors beyond the commission’s control, insisting adequate publicity and sensitisation were carried out ahead of the polls.

The exercise remained largely calm across affected communities, with residents in some areas continuing their daily activities while voting proceeded.