The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Olaka Nwogu, the winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial District bye-election held on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
The election, which took place across seven local government areas—Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Oyigbo, and Opobo—was prompted by the passing of Senator Barry Mpigi in February 2026.
The INEC Returning Officer, Professor Rosemary Ogu, announced the results at the collation center in Bori, Rivers State. Nwogu Olaka Johnson secured 46,961 votes to defeat his closest rival, Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 1,647 votes.
Other participants included Douglass Fabeke of the Action Alliance (AA), who received 1,175 votes, and Sam Kinani of the Labour Party (LP), who recorded 367 votes.
Following the announcement, Professor Ogu confirmed that the PDP candidate had satisfied the requirements of the law and was duly returned as the senator representing the district.
Regarding reports of technical difficulties, Geraldine Ekelemo, INEC’s Head of Department for Voter Education in Rivers State, explained that the commission was proactive in managing issues with the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS).
She noted that backup machines were supplied to each of the seven local government areas, and technical staff were on-site to reconfigure devices where malfunctions occurred to ensure the electoral process remained smooth.
