Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Presidential election held last Saturday across the nation seems to have changed the political equation in Enugu State since the inception of the current democracy in the Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the state had remained under the clutches of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999, always returning the party’s candidates unopposed most times.
However, the just concluded election has presented a different scenario following the emergence of the Labour Party (LP) into the political scene.
For the first time, seven (7) out of eight House of Representatives Seats were won by the LP while PDP won only one.
Also, out of the two senatorial zones where elections were held, LP won one while PDP won one and one is pending.
The Enugu East Senatorial zone was moved to March 11, following the murder of Barrister Oyibo Chukwu, senatorial candidate of Labour Party two days before the election.
Those who won the senatorial seats were, Barrister Okey Ezea of LP for Enugu North and Engr. Osita Ngwu of PDP for Enugu West.
For the House of Representatives Seats, PDP’s Nnoli Nnaji won with 15,026 to retake Nkanu West/East Federal Constituency, while Hon. Chijioke Okereke of LP won Oji River/Aninri Federal Constituency with 11,339 votes.
In Enugu South/North Federal Constituency, Mr Chimaobi Atu of Labour defeated the incumbent Chukwuegbo Offor of PDP with 38,511 and Prof. Paul Nnamchi of LP won Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency.
Hon. Cyprain Umah of LP won Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency with 35,408 votes while Hon. Stainless Nwodo of LP won Igboetiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency.
The Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency was won by Hon. Chidi Obetta of Labour while Hon. Denis Agbo won Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency.
