PDP candidate wins Rivers South-East senatorial by-election

Wogu Olaka Johnson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been declared the winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Johnson's victory on Sunday, following the election held on Saturday, June 20.

Professor Rosemary Ogwu, the returning officer, announced the results at the Rivers South East Senatorial Collation Centre in Bori. Johnson polled a total of 47,961 votes. He decisively defeated his closest rival, Osar Erewari of the All Progressives Congress, who garnered 1,647 votes. Other candidates included Douglas Fabeka Beke of the Action Alliance with 1,175 votes, and Sam Barikwa of the Labour Party, who received 367 votes.

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Mr. Johnson polled 47,961 votes, defeating three other candidates in the keenly contested election.

Ms Ogwu confirmed that Mr. Johnson met all legal requirements and secured the highest number of valid votes, officially declaring him the winner. The declaration was observed by several INEC officials, including national commissioner May Agbamuche-Mbu and Rivers resident electoral commissioner Johnson Siniken.

The by-election was necessitated by the death of Senator Barry Barinada Mpigi in February, creating a vacancy in the National Assembly for the Rivers South-East Senatorial district. The process saw participation from various INEC officials, electoral officers, party agents, security personnel, and journalists.

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Mr. Johnson of PDP satisfied the law’s requirements and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, and is “hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”