The Enugu chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has applauded Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, for what it described as his courageous role in defending democracy during the just-concluded Enugu South 1 Constituency re-run election.
In a statement at the weekend by Enugu APC chairman, Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah, the party said the Minister’s presence at the election venue helped to thwart alleged moves by vested political interests to manipulate the exercise.
“The courage displayed by Chief Uche Nnaji on that day reassured the people that democracy can be protected when men of goodwill stand firm,” Agballah said.
The APC also congratulated the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene, who was declared winner of the re-run by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Ngene, serving a prison sentence over an alleged community fund scandal, polled 5,862 votes against his closest rival, PDP’s Sam Ngene, who scored 2,000.
INEC, in a statement by its National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, confirmed that after disruptions in earlier attempts, the election was finally concluded in the affected eight polling units with 4,616 registered voters, clearing the way for Ngene’s return.
Agballah commended other political figures who stood their ground to ensure the will of the people prevailed, including LP’s Senator Kelvin Chukwu, APC lawmakers Hon. Chimobi Atu and Hon. Paul Nnamchi, and executives of both APC and LP at the state and local levels.
He described the outcome as “a signal that Enugu people will no longer tolerate election rigging,” recalling his own past experiences of alleged manipulation in 2003 and 2007.
“The Labour Party won the 2023 governorship election in this state but was rigged out. The only way to protect the people’s mandate is for all parties to stand together as we saw in Enugu South,” Agballah said.
While assuring Ngene of APC’s continued support both in securing his mandate and in his legal battle for freedom, Agballah urged PDP’s candidate, Sam Ngene, to show statesmanship by accepting the outcome.
“You fought gallantly, but as a Christian and leader, you should congratulate your brother and move on. Tomorrow still holds promise for you,” he advised.
Observers note that Ngene’s imprisonment remains controversial, with many insisting it is politically motivated and tied to the long-drawn battle for the Enugu South seat, which had remained vacant for over two years.
