Chaos Erupts in Enugu as Minister Uche Nnaji Booed, Accused of Electoral Interference

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The by-election in Enugu South Urban Constituency on Saturday descended into chaos after residents confronted the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, accusing him of attempting to manipulate the process with the aid of political thugs.

The incident, captured in a video obtained by SaharaReporters, showed angry voters surrounding the minister and his entourage, chanting that he had no business at the polling unit. “As a minister, you are not supposed to be here. You are not an agent. You don’t have any business here,” one voter shouted, while others echoed the sentiment, forcing the minister to retreat.

Residents Reject Minister’s Presence

Eyewitnesses alleged that Nnaji, who has faced criticism in the past and is derisively nicknamed “the Sleeping Minister” by opponents, arrived at the polling station with hired political thugs in an alleged attempt to rig votes. His presence sparked outrage among voters, who accused him of meddling in an election outside his constituency.

The tense scene quickly escalated, with men, women, and even children surrounding the minister’s entourage until they were chased out of the polling venue. The confrontation intensified growing fears of political interference in the exercise.

By-Election Ends in Deadlock

Despite high voter turnout at Uwani Secondary School, the designated polling venue, no ballots were cast. By 3:20 p.m., officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shut down the process, citing the absence of key sensitive materials, particularly result sheets.

This development marked the fourth failed attempt to conduct the by-election. Enugu State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, lamented the situation, appealing to stakeholders to allow the process to conclude. “The people of Enugu deserve a fair election. This is the fourth time this by-election has been attempted without success. I am pleading with all parties to behave responsibly,” he said.

Disputes Over Labour Party Candidate

The atmosphere grew more heated when a group of women stormed the polling venue, demanding the disqualification of the Labour Party (LP) candidate. They alleged that the candidate had been convicted in July 2024 by an Enugu South Magistrates’ Court for mismanaging a ₦15 million community development fund and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sam Ngene, described the situation as a direct result of political interference. “The problem is the infiltration of influential figures like Minister Uche Nnaji and Senator Kevil Chukwu, who are disrupting the process. My opponent is behind bars. The constitution is clear: a convict cannot contest an election,” Ngene stated.

Nnaji Defends His Presence

Reacting to the accusations, Uche Nnaji defended his attendance, insisting he was acting within his rights as a political leader. “I have a right to be here because I am the leader of my party in the state. The PDP cannot win this election. If the election is not concluded today, we will stay here until it is,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party Chairman in Enugu South, Chinwuba Ngwu, expressed disappointment at the electoral body. “We have been here since 7 a.m. There is no accreditation, no voting, and no explanation from INEC. We are in the dark,” he lamented.

Growing Concerns Over Electoral Integrity

The disruption has once again raised concerns about the credibility of elections in Enugu State and across Nigeria. With repeated failures, allegations of interference, and the unresolved status of the Labour Party candidate, stakeholders are calling for urgent reforms to restore public confidence in the democratic process.

As tempers flare and political tensions rise, residents of Enugu South are left uncertain about when their long-delayed constituency election will finally be concluded.

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