The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has officially confirmed that it will only recognise candidates submitted by the Chief Tony Okocha-led faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for August 30.

The clarification was made by Chidi Halliday, RSIEC’s Commissioner for Administration and Legal Matters, during an interactive session with civil society groups in Port Harcourt.

Halliday revealed that the commission had received two separate lists of APC candidates—one from the Okocha-led faction and another from the Chief Emeka Beke-led faction, but only one met the deadline.

“The list from the Chief Beke APC was received for record purposes only,” Halliday stated.

“RSIEC monitored the primaries conducted by the Tony Okocha-led APC and will be recognising only the candidates that emerged from that process.”

He further explained that RSIEC does not engage in internal party disputes or court battles, noting that the commission relies solely on documentation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regarding the legally recognised leadership of political parties.

“To us, after the primaries are over, you cannot start submitting your list. All those we are dealing with are from the records we got from INEC,” Halliday said.

In response, Darlington Nwauju, spokesperson for the Beke-led APC faction, disagreed with RSIEC’s stance, maintaining that their candidate list was submitted within the required timeframe.

“Any attempt to publish names without the endorsement of our Chairman, Emeka Beke, and State Secretary, Sam Sam Etetegwung, as candidates of APC in Rivers State will attract the long arm of the law,” he warned.

The conflict stems from a longstanding internal power struggle within the state APC.

A Rivers State High Court ruling last year reinstated the Beke-led executive, aligned with former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, after the group had been dissolved by the APC National Working Committee under Abdullahi Ganduje over alleged anti-party activities.

Meanwhile, RSIEC Chairman Dr. Michael Odey reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible local government election.

He disclosed that RSIEC had successfully obtained the official voter register from INEC, which will be publicly displayed ahead of the election.

“We have a signed letter from INEC issuing us the voter register. It is authentic, and the INEC Chairman has promised full support,” Dr. Odey assured.

Heavy security presence overshadowed the Ganye State Constituency by-election in Adamawa State on Saturday, as the two major political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) traded accusations amid concerns over military deployment and alleged voter inducement.

The election, organized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), witnessed a large turnout but was marred by political tension and controversy surrounding the extent of security arrangements.

Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote, Adamawa PDP Chairman Tahir Shehu criticized what he described as an overwhelming and unnecessary deployment of security forces. According to him, over 2,000 military personnel and 12 armoured tanks were brought into Ganye Local Government Area for the exercise.

“We never imagined that Nigeria even had up to 12 armoured tanks,” Shehu said.

“Where are these when Boko Haram and bandits are killing soldiers and citizens in the North-East?”

He also condemned the presence of Assistant Inspector General of Police Taiwo Adeleke, who led a high-powered security operation.

“This is something a DPO could have handled. If this kind of firepower was used in Borno, we wouldn’t still be dealing with insurgency,” he added. “Even if APC relocates the Defence Headquarters here, they still won’t win.”

Firing back, former Deputy Governor of Adamawa, Martins Babale, dismissed the PDP’s complaints, saying the party no longer has a stronghold in the state.

“PDP is dead and buried in Adamawa,” Babale declared.

“Atiku Abubakar brought PDP here, but now that he’s irrelevant, Nigerians are rallying behind the APC, the only party that can sustain democracy.”

He accused the PDP of hypocrisy, arguing that the same party undermined democratic institutions during its years in power.

Observers at various polling units reported incidents of open vote buying, allegedly involving both major parties.

Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, including over 45 vehicles in AIG Adeleke’s convoy, the incidents went largely unchecked.

AIG Adeleke and his team patrolled the area throughout the day in an effort to maintain law and order.

The by-election was triggered by the death of APC lawmaker Abdumalik Jarou in May 2024, leaving the Ganye constituency seat vacant.

The outcome of the vote is seen as a litmus test for the political strength of both parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As at the time of filing this report, INEC had yet to release official results or make a formal statement on the conduct of the poll.

The much-anticipated by-election for the Enugu South Urban Constituency ended in frustration on Saturday as voting failed to take place for the fourth consecutive time, despite a significant voter turnout at the designated Uwani Secondary School polling centre.

Although officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present and appeared prepared, the process could not commence due to the absence of sensitive materials, including result sheets.

By 3:20 pm, with no voting activity in sight, the polling unit was shut down and electoral materials packed up.

Speaking to reporters, Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu expressed disappointment at the continued failure to conduct the election.

“This is the fourth attempt, and we are still unable to hold the by-election. I appeal to all political actors to exercise restraint and allow the process to proceed peacefully. The people of Enugu deserve the right to vote and be represented,” he said.

PDP candidate, Sam Ngene blamed the delay on political interference, naming high-profile figures such as Senator Kelvin Chukwu and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, who he accused of disrupting the process.

Responding, Minister Uche Nnaji defended his presence at the polling unit, stating:

“I’m here as the APC leader in Enugu State. I have every right to be present. The PDP knows it cannot win this election. If it’s not concluded today, we will remain here until it is.”

Meanwhile, LP’s Enugu South Chairman, Chinwuba Ngwu, also expressed frustration with INEC.

“We’ve been here since 7 am, but there’s been no accreditation or voting. INEC hasn’t communicated anything. It’s total silence,” he lamented.

The seat became vacant after the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal nullified the March 18, 2023 election results, citing irregularities.

A rerun was ordered in eight polling units, covering 4,618 registered voters.

In the original vote, Bright Ngene (LP) was declared the winner with 5,862 votes, defeating Sam Ngene (PDP) by over 2,000 votes.

This marks the fourth failed attempt to conduct the rerun, previous efforts were scheduled for February 3, February 14, and June 8, 2024, all ending in chaos or postponement.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the upcoming November election in Anambra State, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, has lost his own polling units to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the ongoing Anambra South Senatorial District by-election, DAILY GAZETTE reports.

The upset occurred in Osumenyi, Ukachukwu’s hometown in Nnewi South Local Government Area where he failed to secure victory at two polling units.

According to results announced at the scene by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APGA candidate polled the highest number of votes in both units, leaving the APC trailing behind.

APC is yet to officially react to the results from the polling units.

Tensions flared during the Anambra South Senatorial District by-election on Saturday as violence broke out, leading to alleged attacks on the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim and the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu.

According to eyewitness reports, angry youths in the area confronted and held the deputy governor hostage, accusing him of engaging in vote-buying.

The mob also allegedly attacked Commissioner Odumegwu, who was said to have accompanied the deputy governor to the scene.

Reacting to the incident shortly after casting his vote in Isuofia, Aguata Local Government Area, Governor Charles Soludo condemned the attack, accusing Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, the APC gubernatorial candidate, of masterminding the assault.

“This is an act of thuggery,” Soludo said. “Government officials, including the Deputy Governor and the Commissioner for Environment, were attacked. It’s unacceptable.”

Adding his voice, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, National Publicity Secretary of APGA, also blamed the APC candidate for the chaos.

“That shows you that thugs are out to govern Anambra State and that is the kind of governor he would be if, in the unlikely event, he is elected,” Opara stated.

“I can confirm to you that the Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Felix Odumegwu, was attacked by APC thugs sent by their gubernatorial candidate. If not for the security operatives at his country home in Ezinifite, Aguata, it would have been a different story today.”

“How can Ukachukwu leave his home in Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government Area, and go to Ezinifite in Aguata to attack the Commissioner for Environment?” he asked.

In a swift rebuttal, Comrade Tony Uche, an aide to Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, denied that the APC candidate ordered any attacks. Instead, he accused the Deputy Governor and Commissioner of arriving in Osumenyi with a heavily armed security team to influence the outcome of the by-election.

“If you see the number of vigilante personnel that came with them, over twenty trucks, you’d understand the youths’ reaction,” Uche claimed.

“Ukachukwu never ordered anyone to attack the Deputy Governor or the Commissioner. The youths simply resisted what they saw as an attempt to hijack the election.”

As at the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, had not issued an official statement on the incident.

The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) found in possession of ₦2.5 million in cash during the by-election for the Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency.

According to a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Omolola Odutola, the arrest took place in Iperu Remo around 12:45 am, when a police patrol team intercepted a Mitsubishi Spacewagon with Lagos registration number AKD 887 HT.

The occupants of the vehicle included two INEC officials, Mr. Joe-Stans Toryem and Ms. Mandara Aminat, along with their driver. A search of the vehicle reportedly led to the discovery of ₦2.5 million in cash, which was in the possession of Mr. Toryem.

During preliminary interrogation, Mr. Toryem allegedly confessed that the money was handed to him at a hotel in Iperu by an individual known only as “Political Solution”, acting under the directive of his supervisor.

“The suspects were apprehended for electoral-related offences and are currently assisting with investigations,” said Odutola.

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Lanre Ogunlowo, ordered that the suspects be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Eleweran for thorough investigation.

“The command is actively monitoring the electoral process and remains committed to ensuring transparency and credibility in the ongoing by-election,” Odutola added.