The Enugu South Urban House of Assembly by-election was thrown into disarray on Saturday after protests and logistical challenges prevented voting from starting on time across several polling units.
At Uwani Secondary School, which recorded a large voter turnout, accreditation and voting had yet to begin as of 2:30 p.m. The delay sparked tension among voters and heightened political rivalry between the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
PDP candidate, Sam Ngene, condemned the disruptions, accusing political actors of interference. He warned that the credibility of the election was at risk if the situation was not addressed.
“There is strong mobilisation for this election. However, the process is being disrupted, and we are concerned about the fairness of the environment,” Ngene said.
Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, defended his presence at the polling venue, insisting he was fulfilling his role as a party leader in the state.
“You can see there is a large turnout. We are here to observe and ensure the process proceeds peacefully. The election should be allowed to go on so voters can exercise their rights,” Nnaji explained.
Similarly, Enugu South Labour Party Chairman, Chinwuba Ngwu, raised concerns about INEC’s silence, stressing that voters had been waiting since 7 a.m. without any official update.
“We’ve been here since morning and there’s been no communication from INEC. We are urging officials to address the voters and ensure the process begins,” Ngwu said.
In response, Enugu State’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, admitted that while personnel and materials were deployed early, the protests disrupted the exercise.
“Some individuals are protesting, which has delayed voting. We appeal to everyone to allow us to carry out our statutory functions and enable eligible voters to cast their votes,” he stated.
Dr. Chukwu further revealed that this was the fourth attempt to conduct the Enugu South by-election, assuring that the commission would review the situation before deciding on the next steps.
The development has left many voters uncertain, with the exercise overshadowed by tension, protests, and questions about the electoral process’s transparency.
