INEC Declares Labour Party’s Bright Ngene Winner of Enugu South Rerun Despite Ongoing Jail Term

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Bright Ngene of the Labor Party as the winner of the rerun election for Enugu South 1 State Constituency.

The announcement, made on Tuesday by INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, ends years of failed attempts to conclude the court ordered poll.

Ngene won with over 3,000 votes, defeating his closest rival, Sam Ngene of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, Bright Ngene is currently serving a seven year jail term at the Enugu Correctional Centre. In July 2024, a Magistrates’ Court sentenced him over a long standing dispute involving a ₦15 million Akwuke Community Development Fund. The case, which began in 2017, had previously been referred to as Alternative Dispute Resolution but was later revived after Ngene’s electoral victory in 2023.

INEC confirmed that Certificates of Return will be issued to all elected lawmakers. For State Assembly members, presentations will take place at INEC State offices on Friday, August 22, 2025, while those elected to the National Assembly will receive theirs on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The commission also announced Ya’u Garba Gwarmai of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Ghari/Tsanyawa State Constituency election in Kano State, alongside other winners across the country.

INEC reassured Nigerians of its commitment to providing timely updates on its activities.