In response to the suspended RERUN election of Enugu South Urban Constituency last Saturday, which was marred by disappearance of original result sheets, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a rescheduled date for the poll. The rerun is now set to take place on WEDNESDAY, February 14th, 2024.

Honorable Bright Emeka Ngene Esq., the Labour party candidate who emerged victorious in the initial election, urges all supporters of justice to reject manipulations and turn out in large numbers on the new date to confront the challenges facing their constituency.

Press release by INEC

Ngene stated, “Labour party won the election, and we shall prove it again come February 14th. Together, we shall succeed! Do not be intimidated, for God almighty is with us on this journey to secure our mandate from marauders.”

Mobilization efforts are underway, with Ngene calling on party members to inform all those registered to vote at Uwani secondary school and Robinson Street Primary school venues of the rerun, about the importance of voting on Wednesday, February 14th. He emphasized, “This will be the final day we shall be putting a six-inch nail into the coffin of the opposition party in Enugu South Urban.”

In light of these developments, constituents are urged to vote wisely and cast their support for Honorable Bright Emeka Ngene Esq. for the Enugu South Constituency 1 seat in the House of Assembly. GMTNewsng

In a significant political development, Kalu Kalu, a prominent Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the 27 lawmakers from Rivers State, who recently switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, have forfeited their seats in the parliamentary arena.

Kalu Kalu, a seasoned lawyer, explained the legal ramifications behind this decision, stating that elected officials can only defect during their term if there is a discernible leadership struggle within their original party. In a Tuesday interview on Arise News, he clarified, “The 27 affected constituencies, their seats are already vacant… Once you defect from the political party from which you won election, to another political party before the expiration of the house upon which you were elected, that you automatically lose that seat.”

The legal perspective was further emphasized as Kalu debunked the possibility of a division within the PDP, asserting, “The proviso in section 109-1g is clear that if there is a division in the party upon which the member came to the house in question, that the person has the right to move to another political party.” He highlighted the absence of conflicting opinions within the PDP, both at the national and state levels.

Aside from legalities, Kalu shared personal insights, affirming his allegiance to the APC and describing his previous association with the PDP as purely a lawyer-client relationship. Addressing the situation in Rivers State, he delved into the intricacies of party dynamics, stating, “It is only when there is a leadership crisis, when there is a split in the leadership of the party at the national level that you can now say that there is a split.” He emphasized that, as of the moment, the PDP is functioning without any faction both nationally and within Rivers State.

Concluding his remarks, Kalu drew attention to the constitutional implications of the lawmakers’ defection, pointing out that the seats of the 27 affected constituencies are already vacant. He asserted, “So, there’s no split, there’s no division in the PDP, and I stand to be quoted wrong.” Kalu urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to initiate the process of conducting bye-elections to fill the now-vacant seats, adhering to the provisions of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This development adds a layer of complexity to the political landscape in Rivers State, with potential ramifications for both the ruling APC and the opposition PDP. GMTNews

…As constituents strongly condemn challenging of Senator Kelvins victory

Former Enugu State Governor, Chimaroke Nnamani and Adaku Ogbu, who were defeated in the Enugu East senatorial election, have come under strong condemnation for still pursing the seat at the election petitions tribunal with all manner of shenanigans.

In the Enugu East senatorial race held on Saturday March 18, 2023, INEC returning officer, Joachim Omeje, while declaring the result on Sunday March 19, announced that Senator Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party (LP) polled 69,136 votes to win the election.

Continuing, Omeje said Chimaroke Nnamani, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), came second with 48,701 votes while Adaku Ogbu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came a distant third with 8,548 votes.

While Nnamani is seriously contesting the senate seat, Ada Ogbu on the other hand is boasting to use her power as a woman to reenact the Hope Uzodinma supreme Court victory from number four position to the winner (number one) in the Imo State governorship election of March 9, 2019.

Uzodinma of APC who came a distant 4th with just 96,458 votes, suddenly, by the token of the judgment of the Supreme Court in January 2020, defeated Governor Emeka Ihedioha of PDP that polled 276,404 votes.

Enugu East Senatorial District Senator, Sir Kelvin Chukwu, is the brother of the former LP candidate, late Barrister Oyibo Chukwu who was gruesomely murdered three days before the senatorial election earlier scheduled to hold alongside the presidential election on February 25, which he was favoured to win.

The people of Enugu East Senatorial District are outraged by the actions of Nnamani and Ogbu.They believe that the two politicians are not only attempting to reap where they did not sow, but are also disrespecting the memory of the late Oyibo Chukwu.

Commenting on the development, a resident of Isiuzo L.G.A of the senatorial district, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “It is very clear that Nnamani and Ada Ogbu are not interested in the welfare of the people of Enugu East Senatorial District.They are only interested in power and money. They are willing to do anything to get what they want, even if it means disrespecting the memory of a murdered Oyibo Chukwu.”

Another resident of the district said: “The people of Enugu East senatorial district are tired of these politicians. We are tired of being cheated and lied to. We are tired of being used as pawns in a game of power. We want real representative in the person of senator Kelvin Chukwu who we massively voted for after his brother, Oyibo, was killed by suspected political assailants. We do not want these corrupt politicians who are only interested in lining their own pockets.”

The political landscape in Nkanu, within Enugu East Senatorial District, appears to be witnessing uneasy calm as the actions of Chimaroke Nnamani and Ada Ogbu, fueled by their supporters, continue to drive a wedge between the people. Instead of fostering unity in support of senator Chukwu and working towards the betterment of their constituency, these politicians are increasingly mocking the slain Oyibo whosere mainsare yet to be buried. The people are disappointed by the actions Nnamani and Ogbu at the election tribunal. The repercussions of their actions reverberate throughout the district, leaving its constituents searching for a way to bridge the ever-widening gap and restore faith in a leadership that truly serves their interests.

Barrister Oyibo Chukwu, a senior legal luminary with over 30 post bar experience, fought tirelessly for justice throughout his career, taking up cases pro-bono. His blood, shed in the pursuit of truth, must not be allowed to flow in vain. It is a shameful act to challenge the legacy left behind by such a remarkable legal mind. Those who dare to challenge the spirit of the late Oyibo are willfully disrespecting his memory and dishonoring his life’s work.

Any lawyer with the audacity to stand against the pursuit of justice and fairness that Oyibo Chukwu dedicated his life to and was killed for should be prepared to suffer a fate far worse than Oyibo himself endured. It is a brazen act of defiance to challenge the victory of his brother, Senator Kelvin Chukwu. Those standing against this rightful triumph are not merely challenging a political outcome; they are challenging the very principles of fairness, truth, and the legacy that Oyibo fought so hard to establish.

In the face of Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s victory, it is disheartening to witness the lack of humanity in Chimaroke Nnamani and Adaku Ogbu, and all those who choose to support them in contesting it. Regardless of our affiliations, no right-thinking individual should question the legitimacy of this triumph. Senator Chukwu’s victory is not just about a political seat; it represents the continuation of a legacy forged by Oyibo’s tireless efforts to serve the people. To challenge this victory is to disregard the values of empathy and compassion that form the foundation of our society.

The people, both from Nkanu and everywhere else, should unite in recognizing the significance of Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s victory. It signifies the triumph of hope, progress, good over evil, and the spirit of justice that inspired his brother. It is a break from tyranny. To diminish or undermine this victory is to disregard the collective aspirations of a people yearning for positive change. Let us honor the memory of Barrister Oyibo Chukwu by embracing this victory and standing together in support of Senator Kelvin Chukwu’s commitment to serving the people and upholding Oyibo’s legacy. GMTNews