The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party has called on the Federal Government to intervene in the case of Hon. Bright Ngene, who represents the Enugu South Urban State Constituency and was jailed last Friday without a fair hearing.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Deputy National Chairman Ayo Olorunfemi described the sudden pronouncement by the Enugu Magistrate Court as a flagrant abuse of democracy, human rights, and an attack on the Labour Party. Olorunfemi emphasized that Ngene’s conviction and imprisonment without a fair hearing indicate that the party is under attack in the state.
Olorunfemi highlighted ongoing political challenges in Enugu, mentioning that the Labour Party has faced significant obstacles, including lost mandates and pressure on Assembly members to defect. He noted that these challenges stem from political elements intent on undermining the party.
The Labour Party has approached the courts to address these issues, emphasizing the irregularities surrounding the election into the Enugu South Urban State Constituency during the March 18, 2023, general elections. Olorunfemi detailed how the ruling government, uncomfortable with a rerun ordered by the Election Petition Tribunal, resurrected a matter involving Ngene’s community to imprison him.
Ngene had previously raised concerns about a conspiracy between the state government’s executive and judiciary arms to imprison him, which he believed aimed to punish him for insisting on his election mandate. The Labour Party’s leadership criticized the Enugu judiciary for bias and undue interference, asserting that Ngene was jailed without a proper trial.
The party urged Nigerians to condemn this assault on democracy and called for disciplinary action against those involved in the case. The Labour Party also demanded that the state government stop obstructing democratic processes and ensure fair participation in elections.
Questions have been raised about the validity of conducting a rerun election in the Enugu South Urban Constituency, as the 90 days given by the Election Petitions Tribunal have elapsed. The Labour Party expressed concerns over the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) decision to swiftly schedule a reelection, calling for a suspension of any further action until legal processes are concluded.
The party’s statement read: “We urge INEC to reconsider its decision and suspend any further action regarding the Enugu South Rural Constituency election. This will ensure that no party gains undue advantage pending the conclusion of the legal processes arising from these undemocratic actions in Enugu state. INEC must ensure that the will of the people is respected.”
