The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will not conduct a bye-election in Ahoada East Constituency II of the Rivers State House of Assembly, despite the resignation of former member, Ehie Edison.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State, Gabriel Yomere, stated this during a radio programme in Port Harcourt, the capital city recently.
He explained that Edison’s resignation, tendered in December 2023, was not recognised by the electoral umpire because the State Assembly itself did not formally accept it. According to him, the seat therefore remains legally occupied by Edison.
Edison, who emerged as the factional Speaker of the five-man Assembly loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, voluntarily stepped down from the legislature late last year.
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He was subsequently appointed Chief of Staff to the Governor, a position he held until March 18, 2025, when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu suspended both the state executive council and the legislature in a bid to end the prolonged political crisis in Rivers.
With the reinstatement of the Governor, his aides and Assembly members last week, speculation grew that INEC would declare the Ahoada East II seat vacant.
However, Yomere clarified that the Commission would only be organising a bye-election in Khana Constituency II before the end of the year to replace the late Hon. Dinebari Loolo, who passed away in September 2023.
The REC further assured all political actors that the electoral body remains neutral and committed to fairness, stressing: “There will be no preferential treatment to any political parties.”
