INEC DECLARES IKEJE ASOGWA WINNER OF ENUGU NORTH SENATORIAL BY-ELECTION

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By: Balogun Ibrahim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ikeje Asogwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday in Enugu State.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Christian Ezeibe of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), announced the result on Sunday, stating that Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 9,299 votes.

Ossai Okwudili of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) came third with 3,129 votes, while Chika Idoko of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) polled 1,676 votes. Other results include Ejike Eze of the Labour Party with 1,027 votes, Ugwu Charles of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) with 667 votes, and the Boot Party candidate with 416 votes.

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Following his victory, Asogwa expressed appreciation to voters in the district for their support and confidence, while also commending party leaders and stakeholders across all levels for their contributions to the outcome.

He also praised Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, describing him as a key influence in the party’s success, and extended gratitude to the deputy governor, party executives, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and women groups, security agencies, the electoral body, and the media.

Meanwhile, the PDP candidate, Nestor Ezeme, rejected the outcome, alleging that the election was marred by violence, intimidation, and ballot-snatching, particularly at Ogwu/Umuodu polling unit in Obollo Afor, Udenu Local Government Area. He described the process as a “charade” and “rape of democracy,” blaming APC supporters for alleged disruptions.

Ezeme further claimed that opposition voters were suppressed and that armed thugs disrupted voting in some areas, forcing officials and voters to flee.

Similarly, the National Vice Chairman (South East) of the PRP, Peter Okafor, called for the cancellation of the election, citing widespread violence, voter intimidation, and alleged irregularities, including missing electoral officials and security presence in some polling units.

The PRP campaign director general, Juliet Ugwuja, also demanded annulment of the poll, alleging that party agents were chased away in several locations and warning that the party would challenge the result in court if necessary.

However, APC candidates in Udenu and Igbo-Eze North LGAs described the election as peaceful, free, and credible, expressing confidence in Asogwa’s ability to represent the district effectively in the Senate.

Reports also indicated incidents of violence during the election, including an attack in Obukpa, Nsukka LGA, where a voter was reportedly shot and another assaulted with a machete while attempting to vote.

In addition, two journalists covering the election were briefly arrested by security operatives and later released.