INEC fixes February 21, 2026, for by-elections in Rivers State’s Ahoada II and Khana II constituencies, with primaries in late January

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced February 21, 2026, as the date for by-elections in Ahoada II and Khana II State Constituencies of Rivers State.

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The announcement was made on Monday, 22 December 2025, by Mallam Mohammed Haruna, Chairman of INEC’s Information, Voter Education and Publicity Committee.

Haruna said the decision followed an extraordinary commission meeting to review preparations for the upcoming end-of-tenure FCT Area Council election, also scheduled for February 21, 2026.

Haruna explained that the vacancy in Ahoada II arose from the resignation of its member, while Khana II became vacant following the death of its representative.

He noted that the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly had formally notified INEC of the vacancies, in line with Section 116 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which empowers the commission to fix election dates and conduct by-elections.

According to INEC, notices for the by-elections will be published on January 22, 2026, while political parties are expected to hold primaries, including dispute resolution, between January 23 and 27.

Campaigning by parties and candidates will commence on February 8 and end on February 19, 2026, ahead of the polls on February 21.