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.

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The Chairman, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Prof Chris Ngwu on Thursday paid an unscheduled visit to the Department of Mass Communication, ESUT where he interacted with the Head of Department, Associate Prof Chidiebere Ezinwa.

An elated Prof Ngwu expressed delight that he visited his “home” describing the department as his home adding that it has always been his desire to come and continue to teach the students but regretted that the exigencies of his office made such desire impracticable.

The ENSIEC Chairman noted that he decided to visit the department where he lectured before his appointment in 2023 by the Enugu State Governor to chair the electoral body because of his love for the department – staff and students  

Speaking with ESUT Monitor, the erudite scholar praised the impactful administration of Asso. Prof Ezinwa in the department and made a request to ESUT Management to help unbundle the department into a faculty.

“This is a home coming, I entered Agbai and decided to visit ESUT, particularly my department. I keep yearning to come here, if not for the exigencies of the office, I would be coming here to teach at least twice a month. But it is obvious I can’t make it. For me, it’s a home-coming. I came to see how forward my department has moved.

“I miss my students and colleagues. Sure, I miss the department.” he said

On assessment of Asso. Prof Ezinwa’s administration, Prof Ngwu commended his effort and described him as a “digital HOD”

“The current HOD is digital. When I did mine, I was thinking I was digital, I never knew I was just a little away from analogue. This is a digital HOD, he has transformed the department from what I have seen so far. He has brought in sanity in the department, he is doing wonderfully well.

“So far so good, he is trying his best, of course nobody is perfect. But he should ensure that light is restored, make the department lively so that our studios will be functional. I yearn to be tuning in to the ESUT Radio, to listen to it because as HOD, I brought the licence. It was functional before it was burnt in Enugu which is unfortunate.

“Then he should struggle to get us unbundled, we really need that,” he said.

The ENSIEC Chairman further informed ESUT Monitor that the 2026 Council Elections in Enugu State will hold on September 26

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As October 5, 2024 date for the Local Government elections in Enugu State draws closer, the Chairman, Enugu State Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) Professor Christian Chidubem Ngwu granted ESUT Monitor exclusive interaction regarding the election.

Professor Ngwu, a distinguished academic in media and communication studies at Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), hails from Ishi Egu Owo village in Enugu State’s Nkanu local government area. With degrees from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and a PhD from ESUT, he is a prominent member of the Nigerian Academy of Learners.

Reflecting on his tenure as ENSIEC Chairman, the ENSIEC boss described it as “very enjoyable, smooth, but a little bit hectic,” particularly with the upcoming elections. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence in managing the increasing workload and ensuring the electoral process runs smoothly.

With the local government elections less than two months away, Chidubem affirmed that preparations are well underway. “We are quite ready,” he stated, highlighting efforts in awareness and mobilization through radio. However, logistical movements are pending due to funding constraints, which they hope to address soon.

Emphasizing the importance of the October 5th election date, Prof Ngwu stated its sacrosanct nature, barring unforeseen circumstances. The primary elections will run from August to 16th, followed by campaigns from September 4th to October 4th.

Discussing the recent Supreme Court ruling on financial autonomy for local governments, the erudite scholar noted it does not affect his office. He elaborated on the collaboration with local government officials, particularly in ensuring security and the smooth delivery of election materials.

Addressing concerns about the independence of state electoral commission, Chidubem acknowledged financial dependency on the state government but maintained operational autonomy. “The state doesn’t dictate for us in most cases,” he asserted, “except for funding and staffing.”

He revealed that 18 political parties are registered for the elections, though the final number of contesting parties will be clear post-primaries. He noted the existence of some parties primarily on paper, requiring additional effort to confirm their participation.

On a personal note, Prof Ngwu described his role as ENSEC Chairman as a significant call to service, a challenge he embraces with dedication. “It’s a call to service and to move away from the sures of the classroom for the meantime. And serving the state in another capacity,” he remarked.

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The Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah has appointed Professor Chris Ngwu as the Chairman, Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIC.

The appointed was contained in a public announcement on Thursday, March 28, signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia.

A professor of Mass Communication in the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof Ngwu is bringing his wealth of experience, expertise and charisma to chart a new path for the electoral body in the state.

He replaces Dr Mike Ajogu in the stead.

Professor Ngwu’s major assignment, immeniently, is the conduct of the 2024 Enugu State Council Elections slated to hold on October 5, 2024.

Previously scheduled to hold on February 24, 2024, the local council polls were postponed to October 5 following a court order requesting the Commission to adjust its original guideline and timetable published in the official gazette of Enugu State on Sept. 26, 2023.

The nine-member board of ENSIEC has Barr. Ifesinachi Umeobika as secretary

Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) Members:

• Professor Christian C. Ngwu, Chairman
• Solomon Edeh, Member (Re-appointed)
• Chinenyenwa A. Ogbu, Member (Re-appointed)
• Barr. George Obiora Ani, Member (Re-appointed)
• Arthur Ifeanyi Ede, Member
• Barr. Paully Eze, Member
• Emmanuel Ogbodo, Member
• Emeka G. Ukwuaba, Member
• Barr. Ifesinachi Umeobika, Secretary

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