The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers House of Assembly by-elections scheduled for Feb. 21.

The appeal was made by the Rivers Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Gabriel Yomere, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.

He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

“The by-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two local government areas.

“We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election,” he said.

Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during primaries scheduled to hold by Jan. 23.

“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or violence,” he said.

He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.

Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.

He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on Jan. 5 across all registration centres in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers, Mr Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful by-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.

Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.

“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state,” he said.

Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.

He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dangers of electoral violence and its consequences.

Adepoju appealed to youth, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun violence and promote peace.

He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and property for the conduct of free and fair elections.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.

“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state,” Onyekere said.

He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.

Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the by-elections would be peaceful and successful.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) has said that remembering the fallen heroes in Nigeria must transcend mere laying of wreaths and speech making.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, stated this in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday to commemorate the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.

Abdullahi said that the moment demanded reflection, presence and leadership that prioritises the lives of Nigerians.

He said that ADC joined Nigerians to commemorate the day, honouring courage, sacrifice and patriotism of the patriots who paid the supreme sacrifice in the defence of the country.

Abdullahi, however, frowned at the absence of the president at such an occasion.

“The physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief on this day is not optional; it is a statement of respect, responsibility and shared sacrifice.

“The ADC honours the fallen, stands with serving personnel and salutes military families whose sacrifices remain unmatched by governance, strategy and will for national security,” he said.

Kabiru Garba, Zamfara Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party is ready to take over Zamfara from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2027 General Elections.

Garba stated this while speaking to newsmen on Wednesday at the stakeholders’ meeting for the phase II Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise in Gusau.

Garba stated that the party was receiving new members from various political parties in the state.

“As I am speaking to you now, we are busy every day receiving high caliber political stakeholders in the state.

“People believe with the ideologies of our great party, the party is getting more popular on a daily basis.

“We are becoming stronger, the party is capable of winning all political offices in the state including the governorship position in the 2027 general elections,” the party Chairman explained.

Garba said that the ADC was the “most popular party in Zamfara” as people of the state were willing to join the party on a daily basis.

“The ADC is ready for the election, even if it’s held tomorrow.

“I believe people of the state are ever ready to vote for ADC, they are tired with the ongoing administration in the state aled by the PDP.

“The entire Nigerians are also tired with the ongoing administration of the All Progressive Congress (APC),”he added.

Garba commended the arrangements by INEC for the second phase of the CVR exercise.

He assured that the ADC would mobilise and sensitise its members in the state to participate actively in the exercise.