PDP's Olaka Nwogu Wins Rivers South East Bye-Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Olaka Nwogu of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election conducted on June 20. Nwogu received a total of 46,961 votes, defeating his nearest competitor, Osarokaka Ebenez Erewar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 1,647 votes.

The bye-election was necessitated by the death of the former representative, Senator Barinada Mpigi, in February. The election covered seven local government areas: Khana, Gokana, Tai, Elem, Andoni, Oyigbo, and Opobo.

Professor Rosemary Ogu announced the results at the Khana Local Government Council Secretariat in Bori, Rivers State. INEC also implemented measures to address glitches in the voter accreditation system to ensure a smooth electoral process, including the provision of backup voting machines in case of malfunctions.