NDC candidate rejects Enugu North bye-election result

INEC had scheduled the Saturday's by-election for Enugu North District following the death of Okey Ezea, the senator representing the district in the red chamber.

The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, Oscar Ossai, has rejected the outcome of the Saturday’s poll.

Mr Ossai, who came third in the by-election won by the APC candidate Ikeje Asogwa, described the exercise as “fundamentally flawed and incapable of reflecting the true will” of the electorate.

Mr Ossai, in a statement on Monday, said that after “a comprehensive assessment” of the conduct of the election, he had concluded that no valid by-election took place in the senatorial district.

The NDC candidate said the position reflects the views of the party’s leadership, agents, election observers, stakeholders and supporters across the district.

“The electoral process fell short of the standards of credibility, transparency and fairness expected in a democratic election,” he stated.

The politician alleged that the election was marred by widespread irregularities and electoral malpractices across the district.

He cited the alleged non-use of the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in many polling units, failure to electronically transmit results where functional BVAS devices were available, and discrepancies between results announced at polling units and figures recorded during collation.

Mr Ossai also raised concerns over alleged vote buying and voter inducement, reports of intimidation and violence against voters, as well as unlawful diversion and manipulation of ballot papers and result sheets.

He further alleged that a significant number of ad-hoc personnel deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were “card-carrying” members of the APC.

The development, he said, compromised the neutrality of the electoral process.

The NDC candidate argued that the cumulative effect of the reported incidents cast “serious doubt” on the credibility of the election and questioned whether the declared outcome truly reflected the wishes of voters in the district.

He hinted that his legal team and the NDC had commenced the compilation of documentary evidence, witness accounts, polling unit records, video materials and other relevant information for presentation before appropriate legal and constitutional authorities.

Mr Ossai also expressed sympathy for voters, party agents and supporters who allegedly suffered intimidation, harassment or violence during the election.

He called on security agencies to investigate all reported incidents and ensure that those found culpable were prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The NDC candidate further urged INEC, security agencies, election observers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to undertake “a thorough and impartial review” of the electoral process in order to safeguard the integrity of future elections and protect the democratic rights of citizens.

The politician, however, appealed to his supporters and residents of Enugu North District to remain peaceful and law-abiding while legal processes were pursued.

He thanked voters for their support and confidence throughout the campaign and election period, assuring them of his continued commitment to democratic ideals, electoral integrity and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.

“We shall continue to pursue justice, fairness and the advancement of our people through peaceful and lawful means,” he said.

Background

INEC had scheduled the Saturday’s by-election for Enugu North District following the death of Okey Ezea, the senator representing the district in the red chamber.

Late Ezea, who died in November 2025, was a member of the Labour Party.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that INEC declared Mr Asogwa of the APC as the winner of Saturday’s Enugu North District by-election.

The APC candidate scored 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Nestor Ezeme, who polled 9,299 votes.

Mr Ossai, the NDC candidate, came third with 3,129 votes, while Chika Idoko of the African Democratic Party scored 1,676 votes to pick fourth position.