ADC, PDP, LP excluded from Rivers bye-elections as INEC assures voters of credibility
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) will not field candidates in the upcoming bye-elections in two Rivers State constituencies, scheduled for February 21.
The affected constituencies are Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada East State Constituency II, where a total of 12 candidates from other political parties will contest.
Five aspirants are vying for the Khana seat, while seven are in the running in Ahoada East, representing parties including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APM), Better Party (BP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressive Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).
At a media briefing on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner Gabriel Yomere explained that the PDP failed to participate due to not conducting a primary election, while the ADC missed the nomination deadline by failing to upload candidate information to INEC’s portal.
The Labour Party is currently embroiled in legal disputes over its candidate selection, rendering it ineligible to participate.
INEC assured the electorate that preparations for the elections are on track. Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices have been configured and tested, and election personnel are undergoing screening and training.
To safeguard the integrity of the process, Supervisory Presiding Officers will be drawn exclusively from core INEC staff, with ad hoc assistants sourced from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Sensitive electoral materials will be delivered to Registration Area Centres under strict security on the morning of the elections, while non-sensitive materials have already been dispatched to the relevant local government areas.
Authorities have also mapped out potential flashpoints, and security agencies have been briefed for adequate deployment to prevent unrest.
“The Commission remains fully committed to conducting a free, fair, and credible bye-election in both constituencies,” Yomere stated, reiterating INEC’s focus on transparency and order.
With major parties absent, political analysts suggest that smaller parties could see a surge in visibility and support, potentially reshaping the local political landscape in the affected areas.
Voters and stakeholders have been urged to engage responsibly in the electoral process and ensure peaceful conduct throughout the polls.
