PDP candidate Olaka Nwogu has won the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election after defeating APC candidate Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari in the June 20 poll.

Key Points

• PDP candidate Olaka Nwogu has won the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election.

• Nwogu polled 47,961 votes to defeat APC candidate Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari.

• The bye-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Barry Mpigi.

• INEC said backup BVAS machines were deployed to address technical glitches during the election.

Rivers South East Senatorial Bye-Election: PDP’s Olaka Nwogu Wins Senate Seat

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olaka Nwogu, as the winner of the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election conducted on Saturday.

The election was held to fill the vacant Senate seat following the death of former senator representing the district, Barry Mpigi, who passed away in February 2026.

With the victory, the PDP has retained the Rivers South East Senatorial seat in the Senate.

How Olaka Nwogu Won the Election

Announcing the results at the Rivers South East Senatorial Collation Centre in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, INEC Returning Officer, Professor Rosemary Ogu, declared Olaka Nwogu winner of the election after polling the highest number of votes.

According to the official results:

Election Results

Professor Ogu stated that Nwogu satisfied all legal requirements and was therefore declared elected as the Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.

Seven LGAs Participated in the Poll

The bye-election was conducted across the seven local government areas that make up the Rivers South East Senatorial District.

The participating local government areas are:

• Andoni

• Eleme

• Gokana

• Khana

• Opobo/Nkoro

• Oyigbo

• Tai

The election witnessed participation from four political parties cleared by INEC.

Political Parties That Contested the Election

The parties that participated in the bye-election were:

• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

• All Progressives Congress (APC)

• Action Alliance (AA)

• Labour Party (LP)

Political observers described the election as one of the most keenly watched contests in Rivers State because of the state’s changing political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election.

INEC Explains BVAS Glitches

Meanwhile, INEC disclosed that it had put measures in place to address technical glitches involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

The Head of Department, Voter Education, INEC Rivers State, Geraldine Ekelemo, said backup BVAS machines were deployed across all seven participating local government areas.

According to her, technical staff were stationed in each council area to immediately replace malfunctioning devices and ensure smooth accreditation of voters.

She explained that the commission was proactive in closing any gaps that could affect the credibility of the electoral process.

Why the Election Matters

The outcome of the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election is significant because it fills an important vacant seat in the Senate and offers fresh insight into the political dynamics in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political analysts believe the result could:

• strengthen the PDP’s influence in Rivers South East;

• reshape political calculations ahead of 2027;

• influence future alliances and defections in Rivers politics;

• boost the political profile of Olaka Nwogu in the state.

Quick Facts

Election: Rivers South East Senatorial Bye-Election

Winner: Olaka Nwogu

Political Party: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Votes Polled: 47,961

Runner-up: Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari

Political Party: All Progressives Congress (APC)

Votes Polled: 1,647

Reason for Bye-Election: Death of Senator Barry Mpigi

Number of Participating LGAs: Seven

Timeline of Events

February 2026: Senator Barry Mpigi passes away, creating a vacancy in the Senate.

June 20, 2026: INEC conducts the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election.

Saturday Night: INEC declares PDP candidate Olaka Nwogu winner of the election.

What Happens Next?

Following his victory, Olaka Nwogu is expected to be sworn in as the new Senator representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.

Attention will now shift to his legislative agenda and how the election outcome may influence political alignments in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Rivers South East Senatorial bye-election?

Olaka Nwogu of the PDP won the election.

How many votes did Olaka Nwogu receive?

He polled 47,961 votes.

Why was the bye-election conducted?

The election was held to fill the Senate vacancy created by the death of Senator Barry Mpigi.

Did INEC experience technical issues?

Yes. INEC reported minor BVAS glitches but said backup machines were deployed to ensure smooth voting.