EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: “We Have Created Level Playing Field for All Parties” — ENSIEC Boss Speaks ahead of Saturday’s Enugu Council Polls
By Abigeal Okedah, Ogechi Obinna, Chioma Nnabuenyi and Chimkamma Ozoagu
As Enugu State prepares for local government council elections on Saturday, September 26th, public attention remains fixed on the state’s electoral umpire. In this exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Prof. Christian Ngwu, addresses key operational concerns -ranging from personnel training and security coordination to party participation and public skepticism.
The team of ESUT Monitor reportorial team includes: Abigeal Okedah, Ogechi Obinna, Chioma Nnabuenyi and Chimkamma Ozoagu. Excerpts
Election Readiness
ENSIEC is now 95% prepared. We are very ready for the Council Polls next week
Two-and-a-half-year on the saddle
It has not been easy. Life is full of challenges, but we have always surmounted them. It has been a major experience—not entirely smooth, but exciting, and I have learned a lot. Moving away from the classroom to take charge of this kind of assignment is not easy, but it is a very rich experience.
Personnel Deployment & Security Operations
We are deploying over 4,000 ad hoc staff. They are well-trained; three weeks ago, we trained the trainers, and just two days ago, we completed training for the ad hoc personnel themselves.
On security arrangements, we have already conducted courtesy visits and consultations with heads of security agencies, including the DSS, the Garrison Command, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP). In fact, I spoke to the DCP again this morning (Friday). They are all fully briefed, and we are holding a joint security strategy briefing next week, so everything is in place.
Voters’ Register
We don’t deal with voters’ cards. If you want to know about PVC distribution, go to INEC; that is not within ENSIEC’s jurisdiction.
However, voters will use their voter cards issued by INEC. ENSIEC does not register voters. Instead, we make use of INEC’s official voter register for every polling unit across the state.
Party Participation and Candidates
I cannot give you an exact figure of candidates who are participating in the election.
But I can tell you that seven political parties are participating: ADP, Boot Party, APGA, NRN, APP, NDC, and APC.
Apart from the APC, which fielded candidates across all wards and LGAs, the other parties only fielded pockets of candidates. Many of them did not field candidates for chairmanship positions in all 17 LGAs or for council seats in all wards.
You didn’t mention the PDP or ADC. Are they not contesting?
They are not contesting. ADC is not contesting either, but NDC is participating.
What could be the reason major parties like the PDP opted out?
I wouldn’t know—you would have to ask them directly, as they have a better explanation. All I know officially as the umpire is that they are not on the ballot papers.
Transparency, Result Timelines, And Public Skepticism
My job is to pronounce the results as they come from the field. I won’t be in the field myself, but I have prepared a level playing field for every contestant. Watch out. Many of these political parties are not actively campaigning, so whatever results emerge from the polling units are what will be presented to the public.
How long will it take to announce the final election results?
It won’t take more than forty-eight hours
Doubts about the polls not being free and fair
That has always been the narrative in Nigeria. Even ahead of the general elections next year, people maintain that belief.
It has always been Nigerians’ story. Even the upcoming general election, people still believe it will not be free and fair, and it is because of that false concept in our head that people take advantage of to manipulate elections. Look at what happened in Osun State. The people defended their vote. So if the people can defend their votes, what stops them? Is that why many of the parties are not contesting? Probably. It is not my fault. Well, I said we provided a leveled playground, but nobody should expect that when you don’t make effort, you want to win manna from heaven. Manna no longer fall from heaven. We are committed to changing that narrative with a transparent process.
Continuation of Academic Service at ESUT
I never abandoned anybody. I’m here to serve the state. I was also serving the state in ESUT. This is an extension of my service. I’m still a staff of ESUT. I will still go back to ESUT when my tenure expires. I was teaching PhD students, master’s degree students up until this year, and nobody was paying me for that. I’m still a lecturer in ESUT.
