INEC declares LP candidate serving jail term winner of assembly rerun election

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared a prison inmate, Bright Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) as the winner of the rerun election held in Enugu South 1 State Constituency on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Ngene who is a legal practitioner is currently serving a jail term at the Enugu Prison. 

An Enugu South Magistrates Court presided over by E D Onwu had sentenced the LP candidate for Enugu South Urban Constituency, Ngene was arraigned alongside two others in 2017 by the Enugu State Police Command over a N15m development fund case involving his community. Despite his incarceration, he was fielded by his party for the re-run election held last Saturday,

The national commissioner and chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee, INEC, Samuel Olumeku, 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.”

Spokesman of INEC in Enugu, who is also in charge of voter education, Rex Achumie confirmed Ngene’s declaration as winner of the rerun to LEADERSHIP in Enugu.