The bye-election into the Enugu South Urban Constituency of the Enugu State House of Assembly has been thrown into crisis following the shocking and unlawful invasion of polling centres by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji. The minister, who is neither a registered voter nor a resident of the constituency, arrived at the venues in a convoy of heavily armed policemen, soldiers, and suspected thugs, thereby militarising the electoral process and forcing voters to abandon the polling units for fear of their lives.
As early as 8 am, the Uwani Secondary School and Robinson Street areas, where eight polling units were designated for the conduct of the bye-election, had already been taken over by the minister and his men, who patrolled the grounds in combat outfits. Their menacing presence, coupled with the display of sophisticated weapons, created panic among intending voters and effectively suppressed turnout.
As of the time of filing this report by past 11 am, the polling areas were virtually deserted, with the exception of a handful of Labour Party supporters staging what residents described as a “stage-managed protest.” Genuine voters failed to show up, leaving INEC officials with nothing to do after arranging the polling booths and ballot boxes.
A lawyer resident in the area, who spoke on the condition that he would not be named for his personal safety, said he was displeased by the minister’s show of desperation, pointing out that the minister’s presence "with armed militia" violated specific provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. According to him, it amounted to voter intimidation forbidden by Section 128, as the arrival of armed escorts at polling venues instilled fear and prevented free participation, amounting to harassment of voters. He further argued that the minister is liable for undue influence, prohibited by Section 127, since by physically parading the polling areas with armed forces, he attempted to exert improper influence over the outcome of the election.
He also cited Section 126 in particular, which prohibits persons not duly accredited as voters, party agents, or observers from loitering or interfering within polling centres. Chief Nnaji, he noted, who is from Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA, is neither a registered voter nor a constituent of Enugu South Urban, making his presence illegal. The lawyer further explained that the minister’s actions amounted to an abuse of federal office, arguing that as a serving minister, his deployment of federal security operatives to a local bye-election constituted the use of public resources for partisan ends, in clear contravention of Section 91 of the Electoral Act.
Residents have condemned the development in strong terms. Elder Pascal Ani, an eyewitness, told this reporter:
“Chief Uche Nnaji is not from here. He has no business being at our polling units. Yet he came parading with policemen and soldiers wielding frightening weapons. Everyone ran away. What you see left are hired demonstrators causing noise and confusion. This is a naked abuse of power. I am not a politician, but today’s election has been ruined, and once again the people of Enugu South are left unrepresented in the State House of Assembly.”
Political observers warn that this incident is not merely electoral misconduct but a direct subversion of democratic rights, eroding public trust in INEC, violating the sanctity of the ballot, and setting a dangerous precedent for future elections. The critical question remains unanswered: Why did a federal minister, who is not a voter or stakeholder in Enugu South Urban, deploy force to disrupt and militarise a local bye-election?
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