Bye-Elections Sh*cker: INEC Clears Only 7 Parties For Rivers Assembly Polls, PDP, LP, ADC Missing

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party will not take part in the forthcoming bye-elections in two constituencies of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

According to Ireporter Online, the polls are slated for February 21 in Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada East State Constituency II. The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Rivers State, Gabriel Yomere, made the disclosure during a media briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

He revealed that five candidates will contest the Khana Constituency II seat, while seven candidates are set to compete in Ahoada East Constituency II. The political parties cleared to participate include the Action Alliance, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, Boot Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Young Progressives Party, and Zenith Labour Party.

Explaining the absence of the PDP, ADC, and Labour Party, the commission stated that the PDP failed to conduct a valid primary election and therefore did not produce a candidate for the exercise. It added that the ADC was disqualified for not successfully uploading its candidate’s details to the INEC nomination portal before the stipulated deadline. The Labour Party, on its part, is reportedly entangled in litigation concerning its candidacy process, rendering it unable to field a candidate for the polls.

Yomere further disclosed that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System machines have been configured and are ready for deployment, while the training and screening of election personnel are ongoing. To strengthen the credibility of the process, all Supervisory Presiding Officers for the exercise were selected from core INEC staff, given that the elections will be conducted in only two local government areas.

He noted that other ad hoc officials, including Assistant Presiding Officers, are being drawn from members of the National Youth Service Corps. Non-sensitive materials have already been distributed to the affected local government areas, while sensitive materials will be conveyed to the Registration Area Centres on the morning of the election under security escort.

The REC also disclosed that potential flashpoints have been identified, with security agencies duly briefed to ensure adequate deployment aimed at preventing violence and maintaining order throughout the exercise. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a free, fair, and credible election in both constituencies and urged political actors, stakeholders, and residents to cooperate with officials and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful process.