The Enugu North by-election has sparked fresh controversy after the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) rejected the outcome of the poll, alleging widespread electoral malpractice, violence and voter intimidation.
Both parties have called for investigations into the conduct of the election, arguing that the process failed to meet democratic standards.
The senatorial by-election, held across the Enugu North Senatorial District on June 20, was organised to fill the vacant seat in the National Assembly. However, concerns emerged shortly after voting concluded, with opposition parties raising allegations of irregularities across several polling units and local government areas.
Speaking to journalists in Nsukka after monitoring the exercise, the National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the PRP, Peter Okafor, described the Enugu North by-election as a “mockery of democracy.” Okafor alleged that the election was characterised by ballot box snatching, voter intimidation and widespread violence.
“I am surprised that in an ordinary senatorial by-election, there was so much thuggery, electoral violence, and the snatching of ballot boxes and electoral materials,” he said.
He further claimed that some PRP supporters were attacked during the election, alleging that one supporter was shot while another sustained severe injuries following an axe attack.
The party leader also accused electoral and security officials of being absent in some polling units and urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to either cancel the election or declare the PRP candidate, Charles Ugwuanyi, winner.
The Director-General of the PRP Campaign Organisation, Juliet Ugwuoke, echoed the call for cancellation, alleging that electoral violence was widespread across the district. Ugwuoke said party agents were reportedly chased away from some polling units during the voting process.
In a separate development, NDC senatorial candidate Bishop Oscar Ossai also rejected the outcome of the Enugu North by-election, citing what he described as serious electoral malpractices. In a statement issued after consultations with party leaders, agents, election observers and supporters, Ossai said the election lacked credibility, transparency and fairness.
According to him, reports from across the district indicated several violations, including the alleged non-use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some polling units and the circumvention of accreditation procedures in others.
He also raised concerns over alleged discrepancies between polling unit results and figures announced during collation. Other allegations included vote-buying, voter inducement, intimidation, violence and unlawful thumb-printing of ballot papers.
“The cumulative effect of these reports raises serious questions about whether the declared outcome genuinely reflects the freely expressed will of the people of Enugu North Senatorial District,” Ossai stated.
Ossai disclosed that his legal team had begun gathering documentary evidence, witness accounts, polling unit records and video materials for possible legal action.
He also called on security agencies to investigate all reported incidents and prosecute anyone found responsible for electoral misconduct. The NDC candidate expressed sympathy for voters, party agents and supporters who allegedly suffered harassment, intimidation or physical injuries during the election.
The growing opposition to the Enugu North by-election has intensified calls for scrutiny of the electoral process. While allegations made by political parties remain subject to investigation and legal review, the controversy has renewed debate about election integrity, voter protection and compliance with electoral guidelines in Nigeria.
