The All Progressives Congress (APC) has recorded a historic political breakthrough in Enugu State, with its candidate, Dr. Ikeje Asogwa, emerging winner of the Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election to become the party’s first elected officeholder in the state since its formation in 2013.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Asogwa winner in the early hours of Sunday at its headquarters in Nsukka Local Government Area after a decisive victory over candidates of six other political parties.
Announcing the result, the Returning Officer, Professor Christian Ezeibe, said the APC candidate polled 162,360 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Nestor Ezeme of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 9,299 votes.
“Dr. Ikeje Asogwa polled a total of 162,360 votes to defeat his closest rival, Nestor Ezeme of the PDP, who scored 9,299 votes,” the Returning Officer announced while declaring the final result.
The bye-election was conducted to fill the vacancy created by the death of Senator Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North Senatorial District under the Labour Party until his passing.
Seven political parties participated in the keenly watched contest, but the APC candidate secured an overwhelming mandate, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of Enugu State.
The victory is widely regarded as a watershed moment for the ruling party, which had failed to win any elective position in the state since its establishment more than a decade ago.
With the outcome, Dr. Asogwa writes his name into the state’s political history as the first candidate elected on the platform of the APC in Enugu State since the party was formed in 2013.
The landslide victory not only gives the APC its first electoral triumph in Enugu but also signals a major realignment ahead of future elections, as the party establishes a foothold in a state long dominated by PDP.
