The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
conducted bye-elections across 16 polling units in the Ahoada East II and Khana
II constituencies of Rivers State on Saturday, February 21, amid generally low
voter turnout. Observers noted slightly higher participation at the polling
unit of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate compared to other areas.
In a surprising development, INEC officials at Polling
Unit 13 left for the collation centre without counting the votes on-site. The
ballot papers listed only five parties—Action Alliance (AA), APC, New Nigeria
People’s Party (NNPP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Zenith Labour Party
(ZLP)—with two major opposition parties notably absent.
Fubara administration’s movement restriction order was
largely ignored, as markets and small businesses remained open during voting.
Despite this, many voters and candidates described the exercise as free, fair,
and peaceful.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara had earlier urged residents
to participate fully, particularly in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government
Area, stressing that the election was a “family affair” and encouraging
citizens to remain law-abiding throughout the process.
The bye-elections in Rivers State were held alongside
council elections in the six Federal Capital Territory (FCT) area councils and
bye-elections in the Kano Municipal and Ungogo constituencies of Kano State.
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