The All Progressives Congress (APC) has held ward congresses in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas of Rivers State to select delegates for the forthcoming House of Assembly bye-elections slated for February 21.
The congresses took place across all wards in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II and were described by party officials as peaceful and well-organised.
In Ahoada East Constituency II, the exercise was overseen by the APC Congress and Primary Committee led by Shehu Dange, with Smart Iheanazor serving as secretary. Members of the party’s appeal panel were also in attendance.
Observers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the Assistant Electoral Officer for Operations, Okogbule Emilia, monitored the process across the six wards, alongside security personnel from the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The APC confirmed that five delegates were elected from each ward through voice voting, in line with the party’s guidelines.
Similarly, the delegate congress in Khana Local Government Area was conducted under the supervision of an APC team headed by Oyoala Peter, with INEC officials and security operatives present to ensure order.
As in Ahoada East, five delegates emerged from each ward in Khana, bringing the total number of delegates for the upcoming party primaries to a substantial figure.
At the end of the exercise, APC officials expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the congresses, describing them as a key milestone in the party’s preparations for the bye-elections.
The Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of Edison Ehie, who was later appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Meanwhile, the Khana II seat has remained vacant since the death of its occupant, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.