PDP Wins Enugu Bye-Election

As predicted, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Amaka Catherine Ugwueze, easily defeated candidates of eight other political parties to win the Isiuzo state constituency bye-election in Enugu State held Saturday, December 5, 2020.

Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, collation officer for the bye-election, declared Ugwueze who polled 11,047 votes, elected. The All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, MacDonald Ejiofor Okwor, came a distant second with 2,293 votes; while YPP came third with 68 votes.

Altogether, 13,988 votes were cast out of which 13,597 votes were valid while 391 were invalid but not enough to make a difference in the final result. There are 72, 289 registered voters in the local government out of which 69,626 with permanent voters cards (PVCs), were expected to vote in 11 electoral wards with 118 polling units.

However, the voter turnout was low at less than 15 percent due to voter apathy and inadequate mobilization by the political parties.

Some APC thugs in a Hilux van intercepted and burned results of three polling units from Ikem Nkwo. Unfortunately for them, they were arrested by soldiers and later handed over to the state police commissioner who was on hand for subsequent prosecution.

“From the result announced and displayed herein, it is clear that the candidate of the PDP, Mrs. Catherine Amaka Ugwueze scored the highest valid votes cast. By the power conferred on me, I hereby announce that the PDP candidate is hereby duly elected,’’ Nwachukwu concluded.

Emeka Ononamadu, Enugu State resident electoral commissioner, said the electorates and the entire people of Isi-Uzo local government area conducted themselves peacefully during and after the bye-election. “I appreciate our INEC staff, security men, stakeholders and especially the good people of Isi-Uzo for ensuring that this bye-election was hitch-free.’’

In her reaction, Ugwueze thanked the people of Isiuzo local government for electing her. “I am humbled by your love and support. That I won in all the 11 wards means that I am indeed everyone’s representative. And I promise to represent you effectively at all levels.”

She replaces her late husband, Chijoke Ugwueze, who died on June 19, 2020.