The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Ikeje Asogwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election held on Saturday.

Announcing the result on Sunday, the Returning Officer, Prof. Christian Ezeibe of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), said Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 9,299 votes.

According to the official results, Ossai Okwudili of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) came third with 3,129 votes, while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) scored 1,676 votes, the Labour Party (LP) 1,027 votes, the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) 667 votes, and the Booty Party 416 votes.

In his acceptance speech, Asogwa thanked voters across the senatorial district for their support and pledged to provide quality representation. He also expressed appreciation to Governor Peter Mbah, party leaders and supporters for their roles in his victory.

However, the election was rejected by opposition parties, including the PDP and PRP, which alleged widespread electoral violence, voter intimidation and ballot snatching.

PDP candidate Nestor Ezeme described the exercise as a “charade” and a “rape of democracy,” alleging that armed thugs disrupted voting in parts of the district and carted away electoral materials.

Similarly, the PRP called on INEC to cancel the election, citing reports of violence, intimidation and the alleged absence of electoral officials in some polling units.

The election was marred by security incidents, with reports indicating that a voter was shot and another person sustained severe injuries during separate attacks. Two journalists covering the exercise were also reportedly arrested by security operatives before being released.

Despite the allegations, APC officials in parts of the district maintained that the election was free, fair and credible.