The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the rerun election held in the Enugu South Urban Constituency of Enugu State, despite being in prison serving a seven-year jail term.
The rerun election, which was the fourth attempt to conclude the exercise since the 2023 election was nullified, took place on August 16, 2025.
INEC spokesperson, Sam Olumekun confirmed the result in a statement, noting that the election, which had faced “previous disruptions… by violence and thuggery,” was now concluded.
He said : “For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared the winner.”
Olumekun added that Certificates of Return would be presented to the elected candidates on August 21 and 22.
Mr Ngene is currently serving a seven-year jail term after an Enugu South Magistrate Court sentenced him to prison on July 28, 2024, over a communal crisis and a ₦15 million theft case.
The matter, which began in 2017, was reopened after Ngene’s initial election victory in 2023.
The presiding magistrate, who had earlier transferred the case to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), reportedly explained that he was “under instruction to conclude the matter.”
Observers have stated that the prosecution and conviction were politically motivated.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
