A group known as the Network of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria has praised the recent Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, citing it as a transparent and peaceful democratic exercise. The election resulted in a clear victory for Chief Ikeje Asogwa of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 162,360 votes, significantly outperforming Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party, who received 9,299 votes.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Abubakar Musa confirmed that the process adhered to official guidelines and observed that voting materials were effectively distributed. Seven political parties competed across six local government areas, involving over 184,000 accredited voters. Security personnel were also commended for their efforts in maintaining order during the voting and collation phases.
Despite the overall success, the coalition highlighted operational shortcomings, specifically noting technical malfunctions with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and logistical delays in certain polling stations. The organization suggested that the Independent National Electoral Commission should improve these technical systems and streamline logistics before the 2027 general elections. Additionally, the group encouraged a more balanced deployment of security personnel between urban and rural areas. Concluding their report, the observers urged all political stakeholders to respect the final results as an accurate representation of the electorate’s choices.
