The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today February 21st conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant positions in the Rivers State House of Assembly. The poll is scheduled to be held in Ahoada East Constituency II and Khana Constituency II in Ahoada East and Khana local government areas of the state.

Based on the list of nominated candidates released by INEC for the elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are not in the ballots. The two parties failed to declare their intentions to contest the two vacant positions.

The parties listed by INEC for the elections are the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Boot Party (BP), the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), Young Progressive Party (YPP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

By all indications, the elections seem a walkover for the APC, especially with the absence of key opposition political parties such as the PDP and the ADC. In fact, it will be a miracle for any other party to win any of the constituencies especially amid the prevailing political circumstances in Rivers.

The election is coming after the entire state had moved to the APC. It is also happening at a time the three-year political crisis has been laid to rest. The state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is on the same page with the House of Assembly and with the recently cultivated unity of purpose Fubara and other political bigwigs in the state APC will work together to give the party a resounding victory.

Besides, though PDP is not in the ballot, the remnants of the party in the state are working with the APC leadership. The rainbow coalition coined by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike to drive the political activities of the state ahead of the 2027 election will work to the advantage of the APC in the bye-elections. The rainbow coalition is where significant members of various political parties work together to achieve a set objective is gradually gaining momentum in the state.

Apart from the prevailing political atmosphere, the APC candidates are said to be more popular in the constituencies. For instance, Ukalikpe Napoleon Nyemodumakpo, the APC candidate for Ahoada East Constituency II was described as a grassroots politician by stakeholders, who attested that he had shown commitment in party affairs over the years. He reportedly emerged as a candidate by popular demand.

In Khana Constituency II, the APC and Wike’s political family were said to have captured the mood of the people of the area when it settled for Loolo Bulabari Henrietta, the wife of the former occupant, who died on his seat. Therefore, the majority of the people particularly women in the Constituency are said to be supporting her.

But stakeholders warned against overconfidence saying the party must be aware of malcontents in the Rivers political system specifically among Fubara’s followers, who are not in tune with recent agreements that sealed the fresh peace deal in Rivers.

They believe that the Ahoada East Constituency II remains sensitive in view of the treatment meted on the former occupant of the seat, Edison Ehie. His interests were not captured in the recent peace deals despite being a popular grassroots politician in the area.

Known as the king of youths in his domain, Ehie has the capacity to engineer an upset unless Fubara pacifies him. By all indications, Ehie has been removed from his office as the Chief of Staff despite resigning his position in the House of Assembly where he functioned as a Majority Leader before the crisis.

Fubara compensated him with the office of the Chief of Staff but with recent development in the state he seemed to have been thrown under the bus and may fight to prove a point with any of the candidates in Ahoada East.

Other candidates contesting against the APC are Egor Marvelous, AA; Godstime Egor, APM; Oseja Clifford, BP; Ephraim Raphael Ede, NNPP; Ogide Greatman, YPP and Okwudi Prosper, ZLP. In the Khana Constituency II, other candidates contesting against the APC are Nwakpang Victor, AA; Yormii Barasima, NNPP; Celestine Gideon,YPP and Anthony Ndor ZLP.

In fact, INEC has declared readiness for the poll. The sensitive materials arrived on Friday. INEC received and inspected the sensitive materials at the Port Harcourt branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in the presence of leaders of various political parties, in line with electoral transparency guidelines.

INEC officials and the political party representatives conducted a joint inspection of the materials to reinforce public confidence ahead of the poll.

The Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Rivers State and Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Ben Ogbobula, expressed satisfaction with the condition of the materials confirming that party representatives verified the items and found them intact.

The police have also vowed to maintain law and order before, during and after the elections. The police issued a restriction of movement within and environs of Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) CSP Grace Iringe-Koko said restriction of movement would take effect from 1200 hrs on the Saturday to 1800hrs of the same date.

She said: “During this period, there will be a massive deployment of security personnel across the two LGAs with intention to forestall any breakdown of law and order and to ensure the protection of lives and properties before, during, and after the election.

“Security operatives will be stationed at strategic locations, polling units, and major roads to prevent violence, electoral malpractice, and other criminal activities capable of disrupting the electoral process”.

She urged members of the public to comply strictly with the restriction of movement order; avoid loitering or gathering unnecessarily around polling units; refrain from carrying weapons or any suspicious items; report any suspicious movement or activities detrimental to the election process and conduct themselves peacefully and in accordance with the electoral laws.

Iringe-Koko said: “The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, further advises all political parties, candidates, and their supporters to shun violence and adhere strictly to the provisions of the Electoral Act and other relevant laws guiding the conduct of elections.

“He warns that any individual or group found violating the restriction order or engaging in acts capable of disrupting the peace will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.

“The Commissioner of Police also calls on parents and guardians to caution their children and wards against being used as political instruments of violence or disorder during the election process .

“The cooperation of residents is highly required to ensure a peaceful and successful bye-election in the affected constituencies. The Police and other security agencies remain committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all law-abiding citizens to exercise their civic rights without fear or intimidation”. (The Nation)