In a development that has sent shockwaves through Rivers State’s volatile political landscape, Hon. Napoleon Ukalikpe, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has emerged winner of the party’s primary election for the Ahoada East State Constituency II bye-election, scheduled for February 21, 2026.
The keenly contested primary, conducted amid heightened security and intense political maneuvering, ended with Ukalikpe securing the APC ticket after what party officials described as a “transparent and competitive” process.
However, the atmosphere surrounding the exercise and its aftermath told a broader story of deep political undercurrents, raw grassroots emotions, and unresolved tensions within Rivers politics.
The victory is being widely interpreted as a significant moment for the APC in a constituency long viewed as politically sensitive and fiercely contested.
Supporters poured into the venue immediately after the announcement, hoisting Ukalikpe aloft in scenes that reflected both jubilation and defiance, as chants and victory songs rang out.
The images from the event captured a campaign energized by popular enthusiasm but also underscored the combustible nature of political contests in the state.
While APC leaders hailed the outcome as a reflection of the will of party members, critics within and outside the party have raised concerns about internal cohesion, warning that unresolved grievances from the primary could threaten unity ahead of the bye-election.
Some aspirants who lost out are said to be weighing their options, a familiar pattern in Rivers politics where post-primary fallout often shapes electoral outcomes as much as the campaigns themselves.
Political observers note that Ukalikpe’s emergence places him at the center of a high-stakes contest that will test the APC’s organizational strength against rival parties in the constituency.
The bye-election is widely seen as more than a routine legislative contest; it is viewed as a referendum on party structures, local influence, and the shifting balance of power in Rivers State.
Adding to the intrigue is the broader political backdrop in the state, where alignments and counter-alignments continue to evolve rapidly.
Analysts say the APC candidate will need to move swiftly from celebration to consolidation, reaching out to aggrieved party members, strengthening grassroots networks, and articulating a clear message that resonates beyond party loyalists.
For voters in Ahoada East Constituency II, the primary outcome sets the stage for what promises to be a fiercely fought election.
Issues of representation, development, and political accountability are expected to dominate the campaign, even as personality politics and party rivalry loom large.
As the countdown to February 21 begins, one thing is clear: Hon. Napoleon Ukalikpe’s victory at the APC primary has ignited a new phase in Rivers State’s political contest, one marked by high expectations, sharp scrutiny, and the unmistakable tension that defines elections in the state.
