The Enugu South Urban Constituency by-election failed to hold on Saturday, even though a large number of voters turned out at Uwani Secondary School, the designated polling centre.
Although the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) set up election materials, no ballots were cast as of 3:20 p.m., leading officials to close the polling unit and pack up. Voting could not begin earlier because sensitive materials, including result sheets, were unavailable.
Tensions rose when a group of women staged a protest, accusing politicians of interference and demanding the disqualification of the Labour Party candidate over an alleged criminal conviction. They claimed he was sentenced in July 2024 to seven years in prison by an Enugu South Magistrates’ Court, presided over by E.D. Onwu, for a ₦15 million community development fund scandal. The case, however, is currently under appeal.
Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, decried the lack of progress and urged politicians to allow the process to conclude.
“This is the fourth time this by-election has been attempted without success. I am pleading with all stakeholders to behave responsibly and allow us to conclude this process. The people of Enugu deserve a fair election,” he said.
The People’s Democratic Party candidate, Sam Ngene, expressed frustration over the delay, citing the presence of high-profile officials as a disruption.
“If you look properly, there is strong mobilisation for this election. The problem is the infiltration of influential figures like the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, and Senator Kevil Chukwu, who are interfering with the process,” .My opponent is behind bars. The constitution is clear: a convict cannot contest an election,” he said.
Defending his presence, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, said he was acting in his capacity as APC leader in Enugu State.
“I have a right to be here because I am the leader of my party in the state,” he stated. “The PDP cannot win this election. If the election is not concluded today, we will stay here until it is,” Nnaji said.
LP Chairman in Enugu South, Chinwuba Ngwu, also criticised the lack of progress.
“We have been here since 7 a.m. There is no accreditation, no voting, and no information from INEC. We are in the dark,” he said.
The seat has remained vacant since the State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal annulled the March 18, 2023, results and ordered a rerun in eight polling units with 4,618 registered voters. In the annulled poll, Bright Ngene was declared winner with 5,862 votes, defeating runner-up Sam Ngene by over 2,000 votes. INEC has yet to release a formal statement on the inconclusive by-election, which is now the fourth failed attempt to conduct voting in the constituency, following earlier dates on February 3, February 14, and June 8, 2024.