The All Progressives Congress has carried out ward congresses in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas of Rivers State as part of preparations for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections.
The exercises were organised to elect delegates who will participate in the party’s primaries for the forthcoming contests in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.
In Ahoada East State Constituency II, the congress was supervised by the party’s congress and primary election committee, chaired by Shehu Dange, with Smart Iheanazor serving as secretary, alongside members of the APC appeal committee. The committee toured all six wards within the constituency to monitor the process and ensure that it was conducted in line with the party’s rules and procedures.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were also present, led by the Assistant Electoral Officer for Operations in the local government area, Okogbule Emilia, to observe the exercise. Security operatives, including personnel from the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Police Force, were deployed to maintain order and ensure a smooth process.
The congress in Ahoada East was reported to have been conducted peacefully across the wards, with party members participating calmly through a voice voting method. At the conclusion of the exercise, five delegates were successfully elected from each ward.
At the same time, a similar congress took place in Khana Local Government Area, where party officials oversaw the selection of delegates in accordance with the APC constitution and established guidelines. The delegate congress and primary election committee in Khana was led by Oyoala Peter.
INEC officials monitored the process in Khana as well, while security agencies, including the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force, were on ground to ensure safety and compliance. As in Ahoada East, five delegates emerged from each ward following the exercise.
The delegates elected from both constituencies are expected to take part in the APC primaries, where the party’s candidates for the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II will be chosen.
Party officials expressed satisfaction with how the congresses were conducted, describing the peaceful atmosphere and adherence to guidelines as a positive sign for the APC’s participation in the upcoming elections.
The Ahoada East State Constituency II seat became vacant after its former representative, Edison Ehie, resigned following his appointment as Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In Khana State Constituency II, the vacancy has remained since September 2023, following the death of the sitting lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo.
What you should know
The APC ward congresses in Ahoada East and Khana mark a key stage in the party’s preparation for the Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections scheduled for February 21.
By electing delegates across the wards, the party has laid the groundwork for its primaries, where candidates will emerge to contest the vacant seats.
The peaceful conduct of the congresses, with INEC and security agencies present, signals an effort by the APC to project internal order and readiness as it seeks to reclaim or strengthen its legislative presence in Rivers State.
