Emelayo Nwosu
The intervention of the police and heads of other security agencies prevented violence that would have erupted on Thursday at the Central Bank, Enugu, as movement of sensitive materials for the Enugu North Senatorial bye-election commenced.
Supporters of one of the parties in the bye-election had complained that movement of the materials late on Thursday was a ploy to manipulate the outcome of the bye-election.
They insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, should wait until Friday morning before moving the materials to Nsukka.
An eye witness said the argument that ensued over this raised fear of violence at the CBN, Enugu.
It took the intervention of the Commissioner of Police, Enugu, Mr. Bitrus Giwa, and heads of other security agencies to ensure that the materials were moved as INEC planned.
Following this incident, there is palpable fear that there could be violence as voters in the Senatorial Zone go to the poll on Saturday to elect a replacement for late Senator Okey Ezea, who died in November 2025.
CP Giwa is leading a team of police officers and men that will ensure a peaceful conduct of the bye-election.
The INEC announced earlier in the week that candidates of seven political parties were cleared to run in the bye-election.
The candidates are Chika Idoko Emmanuel, Africa Democratic Congress, ADC; Asogwa Ikeje Israel, All Progressives Congress, APC; Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka, Boots Party, BP; and Eze Ejike Simon, Labour, LP.
Others are Ossai Elias Okwudili, Nigeria Democratic Party, NDC; Ezeme Nestor Chika, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu, Peoples Redemption Party, PRP.
The by-election will be conducted across the six local government areas that make up Enugu North Senatorial District.
Eligible voters will cast their votes in 1, 488 polling units.
Leave a Reply