By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed Feb. 21, 2026, for the conduct of by-elections into Ahoada II and Khana II state constituencies of Rivers State.

The commission disclosed this in a statement by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Chairman, Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee, in Abuja on Monday.

Haruna said that the commission, at its Monday extraordinary meeting, reviewed its preparations for the end-of-tenure Area Council election for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) fixed for Feb. 21.

He added that the commission also considered and approved the draft timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of by-elections into Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers.

He noted that provisions of Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowered the commission to fix dates for elections and conduct by-elections for vacancies.

Haruna said that arising therefrom, it had fixed Feb. 21, 2026 for the conduct of the elections into the two state constituencies.

“The vacancy in the Ahoada East II Constituency arose as a result of the resignation of its member while that of Khana II resulted from the death of its member.

“The Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly had since notified the commission of the existence of the vacancies.

“By the Commission’s decision today, the notice for the two elections will be published on Jan. 22, 2026, while political parties will conduct their party primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, between Jan. 23 and Jan. 27, 2026.

“Parties and candidates will then commence their campaigns on Feb. 8, 2026 to end on Feb. 19. The elections will hold on Feb. 21, 2026. (NAN)