INEC Declares LP Candidate Serving Jail Term Winner Of Assembly Rerun Election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that Bright Ngene, a Labour Party (LP) candidate and prison inmate, emerged victorious in the rerun election for the Enugu South 1 State Constituency, which took place on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Ngene, a legal practitioner, is currently serving a prison sentence at the Enugu Prison.

In 2017, Ngene, the LP candidate for Enugu South Urban Constituency, was arraigned with two others by the Enugu State Police Command in a case involving a N15m development fund related to his community. The case was heard at the Enugu South Magistrates Court, presided over by E D Onwu. Despite being incarcerated, Ngene was nominated by his party for the rerun election held last Saturday.

Samuel Olumeku, the national commissioner and chairman of INEC’s Information & Voter Education Committee, officially declared Bright Ngene as the winner of the election.

“Two re-run elections by order of the Election Petition Appeal Tribunals were held in Enugu and Kano States. After previous disruptions of the elections in the two States by violence and thuggery, the elections have now been concluded. Declaration and return were made by the Returning Officers.

For the Enugu South 1 State Constituency of Enugu State, Ngene Bright Emeka of the Labour Party (LP) was declared winner.”

Rex Achumie, INEC’s spokesman in Enugu and head of voter education, confirmed to LEADERSHIP in Enugu that Ngene was declared the winner of the rerun election.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli