The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has finally declared Barrister Bright Emeka Ngene of the Labour Party (LP) winner of the protracted rerun election in Enugu South Urban State Assembly constituency after four failed attempts.

In the initial March 2023 election, Barr. Ngene was declared the winner with 5,862 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sam Ngene, who scored 2,098 votes.

Ngene was subsequently sworn into office.

However, the election was later nullified by the Enugu Election Petitions Tribunal on grounds that the number of canceled votes exceeded his winning margin.

The court ordered a rerun in eight polling units within Uwani.

Efforts to conduct the rerun were repeatedly thwarted by issues such as missing result sheets, violence, INEC logistical failures and other administrative challenges.

In June 2024, Ngene was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison by a magistrate court on fraud charges related to a resurrected community matter from 2017. Many believed the conviction was politically orchestrated to prevent him from contesting the election.

On Saturday, August 16 2025, the much-anticipated rerun election again ended in frustration as voting failed to take place for the fourth consecutive time, despite significant voter turnout at the designated Uwani Secondary School polling centre.

Although INEC officials were present and appeared prepared, the process could not commence due to the absence of sensitive materials, including result sheets.

By 4:20 pm same day, with no voting activity in sight, the polling unit was shut down and electoral materials packed up.

PDP candidate, Sam Ngene blamed the delay on political interference, naming high-profile figures whom he accused of disrupting the process.

Responding, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji defended his presence at the polling unit, stating:
“I’m here as the APC leader in Enugu State. I have every right to be present. The PDP knows it cannot win this election. If it’s not concluded today, we will remain here until it is.”

Meanwhile, the labour Party chairman in Enugu South LGA, Chinwuba Ngwu, expressed frustration with INEC, saying,
“We’ve been here since 7 am, but there’s been no accreditation or voting. INEC hasn’t communicated anything. It’s total silence.”

DAILY GAZETTE recall that the court-ordered rerun was billed to take place in eight polling units covering 4,618 registered voters.

Taking a decisive step, the Independent National Electoral Commission on Tuesday declared Labour Party candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene the winner of the election, ending months of uncertainty.

A former presidential aspirant of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Mathias Tsado, has called on associates of former President Goodluck Jonathan to persuade him to contest in the 2027 presidential election.

Tsado made the appeal during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast show, Sunrise Daily, on Tuesday.

While Jonathan has not declared any intention to return to the political arena, Tsado expressed hope that the former president would reconsider.

“I am praying for a day that will come when President Goodluck Jonathan will declare and say, ‘I want to run,’” Tsado said.

“Those who have access to him should speak to him. There were rumours in 2023 that he might contest, this time, let them encourage him.”

Tsado believes Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has the leadership qualities the country currently needs.

He highlighted Jonathan’s peaceful concession in the 2015 election as evidence of his commitment to democracy and national unity.

“He is not someone desperate for power,” Tsado noted.

“Remember he once said, ‘My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.’ That statement, and his actions in 2015, still resonate with many Nigerians today.”

Goodluck Jonathan became president in 2010 following the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

He won the 2011 election but was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, becoming the first incumbent president to lose an election since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

Despite stepping away from the political spotlight, Jonathan has remained a respected figure both in Nigeria and internationally.

Tsado remarked that Jonathan’s current status is one many politicians aspire to, saying, “He occupies a position today that most Nigerian politicians yearn for.”

The Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) has officially dismissed widespread social media rumours claiming the death of its Director and Chief Executive, Dr. Ali Nuhu.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by Brian Etuk, Director of Public Affairs at the NFC, the corporation confirmed that Dr. Nuhu is alive and actively performing his official duties.

“Dr. Ali Nuhu is hale and hearty, and he remains fully engaged in carrying out his responsibilities as the Chief Executive of the NFC,” the statement clarified.

The NFC condemned the circulation of the false news, describing it as malicious, harmful, and completely unfounded.

It warned those behind the misinformation, including any sponsors, of serious consequences for their actions, regardless of whether their intentions seemed harmless.

“The NFC wishes to draw the attention of perpetrators of these uncouth and dastardly acts, including their sponsors, to the dire and unmistakable consequences of their actions,” the agency warned.

The statement also noted that appropriate steps have been taken to investigate and curb the spread of such damaging misinformation.

Despite the distress caused by the fake reports, the NFC expressed gratitude to members of the public and industry stakeholders who reached out with concern, describing their support as a testament to Dr. Nuhu’s impact and reputation.

The rumours of Dr. Nuhu’s alleged passing began circulating online late Monday, accompanied by edited videos and photos falsely suggesting his death.

Dr. Ali Nuhu was appointed as Director-General of the Nigerian Film Corporation on February 12, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.