The Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State has decried what it termed the “unjust and politically motivated detention” of its candidate for Enugu South Urban State Constituency during the March 18, 2023, general election, Bright Ngene.

Bright Ngene’s detention

Ngene, who had won the election and was sworn into the House of Assembly, was detained in a correctional facility in Enugu last week following the order of a magistrates’ court.

Although his election was quashed and a rerun ordered following an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election. Sam Ngene, the rerun election failed to take place on three scheduled occasions. This led to Bright alleging connivance between PDP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, issues surrounding him and his mandate took another twist last week when the state government allegedly resurrected a land-related matter pending before the court since 2017 involving Bright and two others. It was on the strength of this case that he was detained in prison last week.

A statement signed by the state chairman of the party, Uchenna Agbo, and Publicity Secretary, Onuora Odo, condemned the detention of the House of Assembly candidate, insisting that it was politically motivated.

Alleged politically motivated detention

The party said: “This detention is a clear attempt to silence and stop him from participating in the rerun election and is calculated to muzzle and stifle opposition in the state.

“We believe this detention is a gross violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, more so when there is a pending petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC) in connection with the matter. The Presiding Magistrate displayed manifest bias in arriving at that decision. It’s pure political intimidation and nothing more. We are calling on the NJC and the human rights community to rise to the occasion and lend their voice against this gross injustice occasioned on Hon. Bright.”

Solidarity and call for national support

The Labour Party stated that it is in solidarity with Bright and all those who face persecution for their political beliefs and activism.

The party urged the international community to join it in condemning the detention and advocating for his freedom. (The Guardian)

Update news