The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Saturday, 21 February 2026, for the conduct of bye-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
The decision followed an extraordinary meeting of the Commission held on Monday, 22 December 2025, where preparations for upcoming elections were reviewed and key resolutions reached.
In a statement signed by Malam Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of the Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, the Commission said the date was fixed in line with its constitutional mandate.
The statement reads: “The Commission held an extraordinary meeting today, Monday 22nd December 2025. In addition to reviewing its preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council election for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) scheduled for 21st February 2026, it considered and approved the Draft Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of bye-elections into Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
“By the provisions of Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) which empowers the Commission to fix dates for elections and conduct bye-elections for vacancies arising therefrom, it has fixed 21st February, 2026 for the conduct of the elections into the two State constituencies.
“The vacancy in the Ahoada East II Constituency arose as a result of the resignation of its member while that of Khana II resulted from the death of its member.
The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the Commission of the existence of the vacancies.”
INEC disclosed that the official notice of the bye-elections will be published on 22 January 2026, formally kick-starting the electoral process.
According to the Commission, political parties are expected to conduct their primaries between 23 and 27 January 2026, within which period all disputes arising from the primaries must also be resolved.
Campaign activities by political parties and candidates will commence on 8 February 2026 and end at midnight on 19 February 2026, in line with the Electoral Act.
The elections into the two vacant seats of the Rivers State House of Assembly will then hold on Saturday, 21 February 2026.
INEC explained that the Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of the elected lawmaker, while the Khana II constituency seat was declared vacant after the death of its representative.
The Commission said it acted upon formal communication from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as required by law, before activating the bye-election process.
