PDP Candidate Olaka Nwogu Wins Rivers South-East Senatorial By-Election

PORT HARCOURT — The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Olaka Nwogu, has emerged victorious in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election, securing a return to the National Assembly after defeating candidates of other political parties.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Nwogu winner of the keenly contested election held across the seven local government areas that make up the Rivers South-East Senatorial District. Reports indicate that the PDP candidate recorded a significant lead over his closest rivals to clinch the senatorial seat.

According to the official results announced by the electoral commission, Nwogu polled 47,961 votes to emerge victorious, while candidates of other parties trailed behind in the final tally.

The by-election was conducted to fill the vacant seat created by the death of former senator Barinada Mpigi, who represented the district before his passing. The election attracted candidates from the PDP, APC, Labour Party, and Action Alliance, with political stakeholders closely monitoring the outcome.

Speaking during the election, Nwogu commended voters for their turnout and participation, describing it as a reflection of the people’s commitment to democratic governance. He also urged the electoral body to address technical challenges associated with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to prevent voter disenfranchisement.

The Rivers South-East Senatorial District comprises Andoni, Eleme, Gokana, Khana, Opobo/Nkoro, Oyigbo, and Tai local government areas. The district remains one of the most politically significant constituencies in Rivers State.

Nwogu, a former senator and ex-member of the House of Representatives, previously represented the district and has maintained a strong political presence in Rivers State over the years. His victory is expected to strengthen the PDP’s position in the region and influence political alignments ahead of future elections.

Political observers say the outcome of the by-election reflects the continuing influence of political alliances and grassroots mobilization within the district. The election was generally reported to have been peaceful despite concerns over voter turnout and logistical challenges in some areas.