Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have won the House of Assembly bye-elections in Rivers State, securing the two contested seats.
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 winner, saying she “satisfied the requirements of the law.”
The result showed that the Action Alliance (AA) polled 46 votes, APC 7,647, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 37, Young Progressives Party (YPP) 23, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) 47.
INEC data indicated that out of 71,914 registered voters, only 7,834 were accredited. A total of 7,800 valid votes were recorded, while 34 votes were rejected. Party agents were present during the declaration of results.
Reacting to her victory, Bulabari expressed delight with the outcome, describing the election as free, fair and peaceful. She pledged to deliver impactful constituency projects to improve 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 by-elections.
Meanwhile, opposition parties in Kano State—including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), New Nigeria Peoples Party (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 exercised 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, saying the party’s formal complaints to the electoral commission were ignored. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) also faulted the exercise, describing it as “shameful” due to 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.
The Kano State Electoral Commissioner, Abdu Zango, attributed the low voter turnout to Ramadan and the perception that the by-election was a minor poll, adding that the exercise was peaceful.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf commended INEC and security agencies for the orderly conduct of the election, describing it as a positive step in strengthening democracy in the state.
