(DDM) – Tension erupted in Enugu on Saturday when voters and youths openly confronted President Bola Tinubu’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, accusing him of interfering in the state’s by-election.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the incident, captured in a video obtained by Sahara Reporters, showed residents booing the minister and chanting that he had no business at the polling station.
Eyewitnesses alleged that Nnaji stormed the polling unit with political thugs in a desperate bid to manipulate the electoral process in Enugu South Urban Constituency.
One voter was heard shouting, “As a minister, you are not supposed to be here. You are not an agent. You don’t have any business here,” as others joined in chorus to disgrace him.
The situation escalated quickly as angry residents, including women and children, surrounded the minister and his entourage, forcing them out of the polling centre.
Critics have often derisively nicknamed Nnaji the “Sleeping Minister,” questioning both his political relevance and ministerial performance.
Witnesses told reporters that his appearance at the polling venue disrupted an already tense election that was marred by logistical problems.
Reports confirmed that voting failed to take place at Uwani Secondary School, the designated venue, despite a large voter turnout.
Although Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials deployed materials to the centre, by 3:20 p.m. no single ballot had been cast.
The process collapsed entirely after officials complained about the absence of sensitive materials, especially result sheets, and packed up operations.
The failed exercise marked the fourth unsuccessful attempt to conduct the Enugu South Urban Constituency by-election, further deepening residents’ frustration.
INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Chukwuemeka Chukwu, condemned the political interference and urged stakeholders to allow the process to conclude.
He warned that repeated disruptions were undermining democracy and denying Enugu citizens the right to choose their representative fairly.
“This is the fourth time this by-election has been attempted without success. I plead with politicians to behave responsibly. The people of Enugu deserve a fair election,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group of protesting women stormed the venue, demanding the disqualification of the Labour Party candidate.
They alleged that the candidate had been convicted in July 2024 by a Magistrates’ Court in Enugu South, sentenced to seven years imprisonment over alleged mismanagement of a N15 million community development fund.
The Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Sam Ngene, blamed high-profile interference for the disruption, accusing Nnaji and Senator Kevil Chukwu of frustrating the process.
“My opponent is behind bars. The constitution is clear: a convict cannot contest an election. But instead of progress, what we see is interference,” Ngene lamented.
Defending his actions, Nnaji claimed he was within his rights as the All Progressives Congress leader in Enugu State to monitor proceedings.
“I have a right to be here because I am the leader of my party in the state,” he declared.
He insisted that the APC would not allow the Peoples Democratic Party to win the by-election and vowed to remain until the process was completed.
However, the Labour Party’s Enugu South Chairman, Chinwuba Ngwu, described the day as a failure, citing the absence of accreditation, voting, or communication from INEC.
“We have been here since 7 a.m. with no accreditation and no voting. INEC has left us in the dark,” he said.
The chaotic scenes in Enugu once again underscore the frailties of Nigeria’s electoral process, where repeated postponements, violence, and political interference continue to undermine voter confidence.
The Enugu South Urban Constituency seat remains vacant as the electoral impasse persists, with residents left frustrated and disenfranchised.
