Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have clinched victory in the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections, securing both contested seats in a decisive outing for the ruling party.
APC Wins in Khana, Ahoada East
In Khana State Constituency II, APC candidate Henrietta Bulabari emerged winner after polling 7,647 votes, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Returning Officer, Angela Briggs, declared Bulabari duly elected, stating that she “satisfied the requirements of the law.”
Breakdown of the results showed that the Action Alliance (AA) secured 46 votes, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 37 votes, Young Progressives Party (YPP) 23 votes, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) 47 votes.
INEC data indicated that out of 71,914 registered voters, 7,834 were accredited for the exercise. A total of 7,800 valid votes were recorded, while 34 votes were rejected. Party agents were present during the collation and declaration of results.
Reacting to her victory, Bulabari described the election as free, fair and peaceful, pledging to deliver impactful constituency projects aimed at improving the lives of residents.
In Ahoada East State Constituency II, APC candidate Napoleon Ukalikpe was also declared winner, completing the party’s sweep of the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections.
Opposition Parties Boycott Kano Bye-Elections
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Kano State — including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), NNPP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — boycotted the bye-elections for the Ungogo and Kano Municipal State Assembly constituencies.
The parties cited alleged irregularities, security concerns, and what they described as an electoral process skewed in favour of the APC.
ADC Chairman in Kano, Musa Ungogo, said the party chose to exercise restraint to preserve peace during Ramadan, alleging that the process was designed to favour the ruling party.
Similarly, PDP Chairman Yusuf Kibiya criticised the conduct of the rerun, claiming that the party’s formal complaints to the electoral commission were ignored. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also faulted the exercise, describing it as “shameful” and citing last-minute directives from electoral officials.
NNPP spokesperson Ibrahim Baraya said the party stayed away because the APC candidates were originally NNPP nominees who defected following the deaths of the previous lawmakers.
Kano State Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, attributed the low voter turnout to the Ramadan period and the perception that the bye-election was a minor poll, adding that the exercise was peaceful.
Governor Abba Yusuf commended INEC and security agencies for the orderly conduct of the election, describing it as a positive step toward strengthening democracy in the state.
