Enugu South re-run: Tinubu’s Minister, Nnaji defended democracy – APC

Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hailed the victory of the candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Bright Ngene in the Enugu South 1 Constituency bye-election held recently.

In a message signed by the state chairman of APC, Barr Ugochukwu Agballah and made available to journalists in Enugu, weekend, the party also appreciated the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji for his presence during the bye-election which it said prevented any form of manipulation by some vested political interests.

The APC in a similar vein thanked LP’s Sen Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East senatorial District; APC’s Hon. Chimobi Atu, representing Enugu North-Enugu South Federal Constituency and APC’s Hon Paul Nnamchi, representing Enugu East-Isuizo Federal Constituency; and all the state executive members of APC and LP; as well as the Enugu South Executive of APC and LP, for standing firm to defend the franchise and mandate of the people.

Ngene’s return followed his declaration, on Tuesday August 19, in an update signed by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee.

Olumekun said, “Two re-run elections by order of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were held in Enugu and Kano States…After previous disruptions of the elections in the two States by violence and thuggery, the elections have now been concluded. Declaration and return were made by the Returning Officers.

“For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared winner.”

Insider sources disclosed that INEC recorded zero for all the parties that participated in Enugu’s August 16 botched rerun election in eight polling units with 4, 616 registered voters, and then returned Bright Ngene winner of the election having previously polled 5,862 votes as against 2000 votes recorded for his closest opponent, Mr. Sam Ngene of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His declaration brings to an end the crisis that has trailed every attempt to conduct the rerun in eight polling units, which was ordered by an Appeal Court.

While congratulating Bright Ngene, who is still in prison, Enugu state APC Chairman, Agballah singled out Chief Nnaji and all men and women of good who stood firm to ensure that the August 16 rerun election was not manipulated.

“What happened in Enugu State shows that Enugu people will no longer tolerate election rigging. The rigging of 2003 is the last rigging that will happen in the state.

“I celebrate with Bright Ngene because I have been a victim of rigging myself. In 2003 and 2007, I was popularly elected as Governor of Enugu state but I was rigged out by the same forces, who continued to rig elections afterwards.

“In 2023, the Labour Party won the governorship election but they were rigged out. Therefore, the only way we can defend the franchise of the people is that everybody must join hands. What happened in Enugu South is what we should do; people should come out in their thousands and defend their franchise irrespective of party affiliation,” he claimed.

The APC chairman assured Bright Ngene that as APC stood behind him in defending his mandate, the party would also stand behind him to make sure that his legal battle to freedom is achieved so that he will occupy his seat that has been vacant for more than two years now due to the protracted electoral tussle.

Agballah called on Mr. Sam Ngene, the candidate of PDP, who came a distant second, to as a Christian and as a child of God and a man, who has held various offices, not to look at the position as the end of life but to congratulate the winner and move on, assuring him that tomorrow still holds promises for him.

“You have fought relentlessly like the David you are but now that the battle is over, I encourage you to take a step of statesmanship and congratulate your brother Bright Ngene,” he said.

Recall that an Enugu South Magistrates’ Court, presided over by E. D. Onwu, recently sentenced LP’s Bright Ngene to seven years’ imprisonment over alleged community development fund scandal.

But many observers believe that his ordeal is political and in connection with the House of Assembly seat.

Enugu South re-run: Tinubu’s Minister, Nnaji defended democracy – APC