PORT HARCOURT, Rivers State — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, Senator Olaka Nwogu, has praised the impressive voter turnout in the exercise, while urging the Independent National Electoral Commission to address challenges with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and ensure that all valid votes are counted.
Speaking to journalists after casting his vote at his polling unit in Rivers State, Nwogu commended the people of the senatorial district for coming out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility despite heavy rainfall and initial network challenges affecting the BVAS machines. He described the turnout as a clear demonstration of the people’s commitment to democracy and their desire for quality representation.
“I am impressed by the number of people who came out to vote today. The BVAS challenges in some areas are being addressed by INEC officials on the ground,” he said. “We are grateful to the people of Rivers South-East Senatorial District for their resilience and their determination to choose their representative. They have shown that nothing can stop them from exercising their franchise.”
The senator also called on security agencies to ensure that the electoral process remains peaceful and that the collation of results is conducted transparently. He noted that the PDP remains committed to a free, fair, and credible election and urged all political actors to accept the outcome of the poll.
The by-election, which was held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, is being conducted to fill the vacant South-East Senatorial seat in Rivers State. The election has attracted significant attention from political observers, given the strategic importance of the district and the competitive nature of the contest.
The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier assured voters of a smooth electoral process, with adequate materials and personnel deployed to all polling units. However, BVAS network challenges were reported in some areas, prompting INEC officials to deploy technical personnel to address the issues and ensure that all voters were properly accredited.
As the collation of results begins, political stakeholders and residents await the final declaration of the winner. For now, Senator Nwogu has set the tone, celebrating the people’s participation while demanding accountability and transparency in the electoral process.
