The Independent National Electoral Commission has approved and released the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of bye-elections into the Ahoada East II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.
The decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the Commission held on Monday, 22 December 2025, at which the draft timetable for the bye-elections was considered and approved. The Commission acted pursuant to Section 116 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which empowers it to fix dates for elections and conduct bye-elections to fill vacancies in legislative houses.
According to the Commission, the vacancy in the Ahoada East II State Constituency arose from the resignation of its member, while the vacancy in the Khana II State Constituency resulted from the death of its member. The existence of the vacancies was formally communicated to the Commission by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Under the approved timetable, the Commission fixed Saturday, 21 February 2026, for the conduct of the bye-elections in the two constituencies. The notice of election is scheduled for publication on 22 January 2026. Political parties are to conduct their primaries, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries, between 23 and 27 January 2026.
The timetable further provides for the commencement of campaigns on 8 February 2026, with campaigns to end on 19 February 2026, ahead of the election date.
What Next
– Publication of the notice of election on 22 January 2026.
– Conduct of party primaries, including resolution of primary-related disputes, between 23 and 27 January 2026.
– Conduct of the bye-elections on 21 February 2026.
