According to a report by PUNCH on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Enugu State chapter of the Labour Party has erupted in protest following the controversial imprisonment of Bright Ngene, their candidate for the Enugu South Urban State Constituency.
Ngene, who was sentenced to a seven-year prison term on June 28, 2024, has become the focal point of a heated political and judicial dispute.
In a scathing statement issued by the State Chairman, Casimir Agbo, and the Publicity Secretary, Onuora Odo, the Labour Party vehemently denounced the court's decision as politically motivated.
They accused the presiding magistrate, E. D. Onwu, of succumbing to external pressures and rushing the proceedings, thereby compromising the fairness of the trial.
"We, the undersigned, strongly condemn the unjust and politically motivated detention of Hon. Bright Ngene, the Labour Party’s candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency, during the March 18, 2023 election, which he won and was sworn in as a member of Enugu House of Assembly," the statement declared.
It alleged that Ngene's legal troubles were resurrected from a dormant land dispute case dating back to 2017, conveniently timed to silence him ahead of an electoral rerun.
Ngene, elected during the March 18, 2023 elections, had faced challenges to his victory, including calls for a rerun in specific polling units, which the party claims were marred by irregularities orchestrated by his opponents.
The Labour Party accused the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) of colluding with electoral officials to manipulate the electoral process in favor of Ngene's rival, Sam Ngene.
Despite alleged efforts to undermine Ngene's candidacy, the party claims that public resistance prevented the rerun from taking place on multiple occasions.
"The PDP-led government strategised and came up with arm-twisting tactics geared towards stopping Bright at all costs," the statement continued.
They cited the abrupt and irregular handling of Ngene's case by Magistrate Onwu, who they assert acted with bias and without due process.
The party has lodged a formal petition with the National Judicial Commission (NJC), urging them to intervene and restore justice in what they deem a clear case of political persecution.
"We urge the NJC, human rights organisations, and the international community to condemn this injustice and advocate for Hon Bright’s freedom," the Labour Party's statement concluded.
They vowed to continue their legal battle and mobilize support against what they describe as an orchestrated attempt to silence opposition voices.