Rerun Elections: Enugu Govt Restricts Movement

The Enugu State government has restricted movement in the three local governments of Igboeze North, Udenu and Enugu South following today’s rerun elections.

Igboeze North and Udenu LGAs constitute a federal constituency where the Court of Appeal ordered a rerun election in 166 polling units following the omission of the logo of the All Progressives Congress in the election result sheets during the 2023 general election. The earlier election was won by Labour Party’s Hon Dennis Agbo, a banker. The nullification followed a petition by the candidate of APC, Dr Oby Aji.

In Enugu South, the rerun is for the state Assembly.

The restriction was announced by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia.

He stated that, “To ensure orderly and hitch-free elections, the Enugu State Government has ordered a restriction of movement in Enugu South LGA, Igboeze North LGA, and Udenu LGA. There shall be no vehicular movement on the roads and or any form of transportation in the aforenamed LGAs from 12 midnight to 6pm on Saturday, February 3, with the exception of persons on election or essential services, such as INEC officials and election observers, as well as health workers, ambulances and firefighters on emergency duties.

“While the temporary inconveniences are regretted, Ndi Enugu are enjoined to adhere to the directive for the free, fair, credible, orderly, secure, and peaceful conduct of the elections.”

He stated that security agencies had been briefed to ensure the enforcement of the order, adding however that “security agents not formerly posted to election duties by their respective agencies are barred from the vicinity of the election venues”.