The All Progressives Congress (APC) has conducted ward congresses in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas of Rivers State to elect delegates ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections.
The congresses were organised to select delegates who will vote in the party’s primaries for the Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II bye-elections.
In Ahoada East State Constituency II, the exercise was monitored by the party’s congress and primary committee, chaired by Shehu Dange, with Smart Iheanazor serving as secretary, alongside members of the party’s appeal committee. The committee toured the six wards in the constituency to observe the process and ensure compliance with party guidelines.
Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Assistant Electoral Officer in charge of Operations for the local government area, Okogbule Emilia, were present at the congress. Security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force, were also on ground to monitor the exercise and maintain order.
The congress was conducted peacefully across the wards, with party members participating in an orderly manner through a voice vote. At the end of the exercise, five delegates were elected from each ward.
Similarly, the APC ward congress in Khana Local Government Area was held concurrently, with party officials supervising the selection of delegates in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines. The party’s delegate congress and primary election committee in the area is headed by Oyoala Peter.
INEC officials and security agencies, including the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force, also monitored the process in Khana, where five delegates were elected from each ward.
The elected delegates from both constituencies are expected to participate in the APC primaries to determine the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections.
At the conclusion of the congresses, party officials expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the exercises, describing them as a critical step towards the APC’s successful participation in the forthcoming bye-elections.
The Ahoada East State Constituency II seat became vacant following the resignation of its former occupant, Edison Ehie, who was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while the Khana State Constituency II seat has remained vacant since the death of its lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.
