By Gabriel Ameh
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, February 21, 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
The Commission disclosed this in a press statement issued after its extraordinary meeting held on Monday, December 22, 2025, where it also reviewed preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) scheduled for the same date.
INEC said the decision followed the approval of the draft timetable and schedule of activities for the Rivers State bye-elections, in line with Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the Commission to fix dates and conduct elections to fill vacant legislative seats.
According to the Commission, the vacancy in the Ahoada East II State Constituency arose from the resignation of the sitting lawmaker, while the Khana II seat became vacant following the death of its representative.
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally notified INEC of the vacancies.
INEC announced that the official notice of the bye-elections will be published on January 22, 2026. Political parties are expected to conduct their primaries, including the resolution of any disputes arising from the process, between January 23 and January 27, 2026.
Campaign activities by political parties and candidates will commence on February 8 and end on February 19, 2026, ahead of the elections scheduled for February 21.
The statement was signed by Malam Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee.
