The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled bye-elections for Rivers State’s Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies for February 21, 2026.
At the commission’s emergency meeting on Monday in Abuja, the decision was made.
The Federal Capital Territory’s end-of-tenure Area Council elections, which are set for the same day, were also discussed at the meeting, according to INEC.
In a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of the Commission’s Information, Voter Education, and Publicity Committee, INEC stated that it approved the program of events for the Rivers State bye-elections in accordance with its constitutional mandate.
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The commission cited “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.”
The commission also stated that it has “fixed 21st February, 2026, for the conduct of the elections into the two state constituencies.”
INEC clarified that the vacancy in Khana II was brought on by the passing of its legislator, whilst the vacancy in Ahoada East II resulted from the resignation of the constituency’s representative.
“The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the commission of the existence of the vacancies,” the statement continued.
According to INEC’s authorised schedule, the election notice will be released on January 22, 2026. Between January 23 and January 27, political parties are anticipated to hold their primaries and settle any conflicts that may arise.
