There was tension in Enugu on Saturday as PDP candidate, Sam Ngene accused the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, of disrupting the by-election in Enugu South Urban Constituency with hoodlums — an allegation the minister immediately denied.
The by-election came after a prolonged legal battle. The State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal had nullified the March 18, 2023, results and ordered a rerun in eight polling units with 4,618 registered voters.
Three previous attempts to hold the rerun had failed: on February 3, 2024, over missing result sheets; on February 14, 2024, due to violence; and on June 8, 2024, when it was postponed indefinitely. Today marked the fourth attempt.
The race has effectively narrowed to Labour Party candidate Bright Ngene — sworn into the Assembly in 2023 but currently serving a prison sentence over a community-related matter — and PDP’s Sam Ngene, a former state lawmaker.
Addressing reporters at his polling unit, PDP’s Sam Ngene alleged that political heavyweights were trying to hijack the process.
“We are here as PDP to conduct this election because we know that this is my stronghold, this is my ward, and my polling unit is one of the places that had this problem.
“The first time, it was Senator Kelvin Chukwu from Nkanu West and some other people who were not supposed to be here. They disrupted this election. The second time, the same thing happened. This third time again, we are announcing that the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji, is also here, and I am wondering why he came. He came in here with hoodlums, with intimidation, disrupting this election and making sure that it does not hold.
“Ask yourself, who are we even contesting with? Somebody is behind bars for fraudulent activity—convicted and sentenced—and he is still on the ballot. Is that supposed to be so? The answer is no. The constitution is very clear: if you are convicted or if you are an ex-convict, you cannot stand for any election. You can’t even vote. You have lost your freedom completely,” he said.
Minister Uche Nnaji dismissed the claims, insisting his presence at the polling unit was legitimate in his capacity as APC leader in Enugu State.
“I am an APC man, and that is why I was appointed. I remain an APC man. I am the leader of APC in the state, and on that basis, I am the polling unit agent of APC. You can see my tag, so I am here rightfully.
“I don’t carry hoodlums. I carry policemen, army, and DSS—people that are friendly to the public, people that are law-abiding, people mandated by law to protect lives and property. That is what I use,” he said.
Reacting to the growing tension, Enugu’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, appealed for calm and urged stakeholders to allow the election to conclude peacefully.
“You can see the good number of political bigwigs present here today from the PDP, APC, and Labour Party. Many people are here, either to vote or to observe. However, according to one of our Corps members presiding over this election, some voters are saying they will not cast their votes unless the candidate currently in prison; who they allege isn’t constitutionally qualified is disqualified from contesting,” Dr. Chukwu said.
“So, I am pleading with members of the public and the good people of Enugu to kindly allow us to conclude this process today. This is my prayer. Let all of us conduct ourselves properly, regardless of our positions in society. This is the fourth time we are coming out for this election, and I am appealing to everyone to cooperate.
“I honestly do not know why this place is even this crowded; it is not supposed to be so. Therefore, I am pleading with all stakeholders in Enugu State—let us not create problems in this election. Please, that is my prayer and my request.”
PACESETTER reports that in a video making rounds on social media, women, assumed to be voters at the polling unit were seen praying. While some sat on the ground and placed their hands on the ground in a prophetic manner, others squatted, doing same.