The Labour Party (LP) legislative caucus in Enugu State has called for the immediate release of Barr. Bright Ngene, the party’s candidate for the Enugu South Urban State Constituency election, who is currently detained at the Enugu Correctional Centre.
Advertorial
Ngene’s election victory was overturned by the Election Petition Tribunal, which ordered a rerun in eight polling units.
This decision was upheld by the Appeal Court. However, multiple attempts by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct the rerun have failed.
As a new date for the election remains uncertain, an old case involving Ngene and his community resurfaced, leading to his incarceration by the Enugu South Magistrate Court under Magistrate E.D. Onwu on June 28.
Advertorial
Sen. Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone and leading the Labour Party caucus during a solidarity visit to the correctional facility, denounced Ngene’s detention as unjust.
Chukwu asserted that Ngene’s incarceration is linked to the ongoing election rerun, where Ngene is leading by over 3,700 votes.
Advertorial
He criticized the revival of Ngene’s 2007 case and the magistrate’s decision to incarcerate him without due process.
Chukwu stated, “The situation is both alarming and illegal. We are here to show our support and to ensure that he knows he is not alone.”
Sunday Umeha, the representative for Ụdị/Ezeagu federal constituency, urged Chief Judge Justice Raymond Ozoemena and the state attorney general to intervene and secure Ngene’s release.
Advertorial
Umeha accused anti-democratic forces of orchestrating Ngene’s detention, fearing his inevitable victory in the rerun election. He affirmed the LP’s commitment to justice and democratic principles.
“We believe the appeal will overturn this wrongful incarceration, reaffirming public confidence in the judiciary and the democratic process,” Umeha added. “The LP represents not just a political force but a movement dedicated to addressing the masses’ issues and improving their conditions.”
Advertorial
Other Labour Party lawmakers present included Senator Okey Ezea (Enugu North Senatorial Zone), Hon. Paul Nnamchi (Enugu East/Isiuzo Federal Constituency), and Hon. Chimaobi Atu (Enugu North and Enugu South Federal Constituency), alongside members of the state House of Assembly.
