December 23, 2025
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 21, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Malam Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee.
Haruna said the decision was reached during the Commission’s extraordinary meeting held on Monday, where it reviewed preparations for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections also scheduled for February 21.
According to him, the Commission equally considered and approved the draft timetable and schedule of activities for the Rivers State by-elections, in line with its constitutional responsibilities.
He explained that Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowers INEC to fix election dates and conduct by-elections whenever vacancies occur in legislative houses.
“Arising from the Commission’s deliberations, February 21, 2026, has been fixed for the conduct of the by-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State,” Haruna said.
He noted that the vacancy in the Ahoada East II Constituency resulted from the resignation of its elected member, while the Khana II seat became vacant following the death of its representative.
Haruna added that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally notified the Commission of the existence of the two vacancies, in line with constitutional requirements.
Providing details of the electoral timetable, he said the notice of elections would be published on January 22, 2026.
He explained that political parties would conduct their primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, between January 23 and January 27, 2026.
According to the schedule, campaigns by political parties and candidates will commence on February 8, 2026, and end on February 19, 2026, ahead of the polls.
“The by-elections will hold on Saturday, February 21, 2026,” Haruna said.
INEC urged political parties, candidates and stakeholders to strictly adhere to the approved timetable and conduct their activities in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act and the Commission’s guidelines.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible by-elections in Rivers State and across the country.
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