Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have emerged victorious in the House of Assembly by-elections conducted in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 of Rivers State.
The Returning Officer, Rosemary Ogbo, declared that the APC candidates — Napoleon Ukalikpe and Burabari Loloo — secured the highest number of valid votes cast and satisfied the requirements of the law.
In Ahoada East Constituency 2, Ukalikpe polled 3,980 votes to defeat Ego Marvelous of the Action Alliance, who scored 33 votes, and Godstime Egor of the Action Party of Nigeria, who garnered 38 votes. Other candidates recorded single-digit tallies. Ogbo subsequently declared Ukalikpe duly elected.
In Khana Constituency 2, Loloo secured 7,647 votes to defeat candidates of various opposition parties and clinch the seat.
Reacting to his victory, Loloo pledged inclusive representation, promising to carry constituents along in governance. Ukalikpe also expressed satisfaction with the turnout and conduct of the exercise, describing the process as smooth and peaceful while commending security personnel for maintaining order.
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 issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
The state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Gabriel Yomere, described the by-elections as peaceful and orderly, noting that the process was conducted without incidents of violence. He attributed voter apathy in some areas to factors beyond the commission’s control, adding that adequate publicity and voter sensitisation were carried out ahead of the polls.
The by-elections were largely calm across the affected communities, with normal activities continuing in some areas as voting progressed.