The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) winner of the Enugu South 1 State Constituency rerun election.
Ngene is currently serving a seven-year jail term following his conviction by the Enugu Magistrate Court over a community development fund scandal dating back to 2017.
Ngene was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for conspiracy and stealing.
His conviction has sparked controversy, with many accusing the Enugu State Government of judicial abuse and manipulating the legal system to silence Ngene, a popular opposition figure.
Despite his incarceration, Ngene won the rerun election, defeating his closest rival, Sam Ngene of the People’s Democratic Party, by a margin of over 3,000 votes.
INEC confirmed that Ngene secured the highest number of votes and will be presented with a Certificate of Return.¹
Ngene’s case has drawn widespread attention, with critics arguing that his imprisonment is a blatant attempt to suppress his political rights and undermine democracy.
The Labour Party has called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ngene’s imprisonment.
