Politics
PDP, Labour Party, ADC Miss Rivers By-Election Over Primary, Legal Issues
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC) will not participate in the February 21 by-election in Rivers State.
The by-election will be conducted in Ahoada East Constituency 2 and Khana Constituency 2 to fill vacant seats in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The vacancies followed the resignation of Edison Ehie, who was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and the death of Dinebari Loolo in September 2023.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Friday, Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner Gabriel Yomere announced that seven political parties have been cleared to contest the poll. The approved parties are AA, APC, APN, BP, NNPP, YPP, and ZLP.
According to Yomere, the excluded parties failed to meet specific legal and procedural requirements.
He explained that the PDP did not conduct primaries, while the Labour Party informed the commission that it is currently involved in ongoing litigation. Although the ADC conducted primaries, it failed to upload the results to INEC’s headquarters portal within the legally required timeframe.
“That is why they were excluded. Nobody is interested in excluding them,” Yomere stated.
He assured residents of a free, fair, and credible election, adding that all Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines have been configured and non-sensitive materials distributed.
Yomere also disclosed that only INEC staff, not ad hoc personnel, will oversee the conduct of the by-election.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has welcomed the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission fixing February 20, 2027, for Nigeria’s presidential and National Assembly elections, but urged the commission to provide clear guarantees on real-time electronic transmission of results.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the early release of the timetable as a positive step that gives political parties, stakeholders, and voters sufficient time to prepare for the electoral process.
However, the ADC stressed that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would ultimately depend not only on the timetable but on INEC’s demonstrable commitment to transparency, technological integrity, and strict adherence to due process throughout the electoral cycle.
The party highlighted real-time electronic transmission of results as a key issue, noting that although INEC has indicated it would operate within the limits of the law, provisions in the current Electoral Act still leave room for discretion in areas that could affect public confidence.
It referenced recent comments by INEC’s chairman acknowledging the commission’s technological capacity to deploy electronic transmission and its intention to continue leveraging technology in elections. The ADC therefore called on the electoral body to give Nigerians early and unambiguous clarification on its readiness to implement real-time result transmission if the necessary legal amendments are enacted.
The statement also urged INEC to publicly outline both manual and electronic safeguards that will be used to protect the integrity of results management and prevent irregularities similar to those recorded in some recent off-cycle elections.
In addition, the party appealed to the National Assembly to urgently pass a binding legal framework that removes ambiguity around electronic transmission and strengthens the legal architecture for transparent polls.
Reaffirming its commitment to credible elections, the ADC said it would continue to engage constructively with INEC, lawmakers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the 2027 general elections reflect the true will of Nigerians.
Nigeria’s electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission, has officially fixed Saturday, February 20, 2027, for the conduct of Presidential and National Assembly elections, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls will take place on Saturday, March 6, 2027.
Chairman of the Commission, Joash Ojo Amupitan, made the announcement on Friday during a press briefing held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, where he also presented the comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.
He explained that the release of the election timetable aligns with constitutional provisions and the requirements of the Electoral Act 2022, noting that early disclosure is intended to give political parties, stakeholders, and election officials sufficient time to prepare.
The electoral body stressed that the advance publication of dates reflects its commitment to transparency, proper planning, and orderly conduct of the electoral process nationwide.
INEC further assured Nigerians of its readiness to deliver credible and well-organised elections, pledging that all necessary arrangements will be implemented to ensure smooth and successful polls across the country.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is the only political party capable of salvaging Nigeria from its current challenges.
Atiku made the statement on Thursday while joining the campaign trail of Dr. Moses Paul, popularly known as Dr. Mo, the ADC chairmanship candidate for the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the February 21 Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.
The former presidential candidate said his first stop on the campaign trail was Apo Wasa, where he canvassed support for the ADC flagbearer.
Describing Dr. Paul, as a credible and relatable candidate, Atiku said he represents the kind of leadership young people in Abuja can trust with the future of the municipal council.
He urged voters across the FCT, particularly in AMAC, to support all ADC candidates in the upcoming elections, describing the move as a necessary step toward removing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.
According to him, the ADC remains “undoubtedly the party that will salvage Nigeria,” adding that the process should begin with victory for Dr. Paul in AMAC.