The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed the nomination of Prof. Christian C. Ngwu as the Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC). The university don was cleared after a rigorous screening process by the House members led by the Speaker, which lasted for hours.
Speaking during the screening, the Deputy Majority Whip and member representing Enugu South Rural Constituency, Hon. Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, said she was worried over the growing rate of voter apathy during council elections in Nigeria and wanted to know what the new ENSIEC boss would do to stop the ugly trend. Responding, Prof. Ngwu said he would engage in extensive voters’ education campaigns before and after every council election to ensure wider participation.
A member of the opposition Labour Party, Hon. Osita Okoh, urged the new Electoral chief to provide a level playing field for opposition parties to ensure robust participation. According to Ngwu, “I am going to be an unbiased umpire. If we desire to have huge participation in our council elections, then we must restore the confidence of all the parties. Going by my training as a teacher, fairness is key. I can assure you all that I will be fair to all.”
Also speaking during the exercise, the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Okey Mbah, urged the House to clear Prof. Ngwu and other commissioners having answered all the questions posed. The House, thereafter, cleared the Chairman and all the four commissioners.
Recall that Prof. Ngwu was nominated alongside other commissioners on the 29th of March by Governor Peter Mbah. Before his appointment, Prof. Christian Chidubem Ngwu was a Professor of Journalism and Media Studies in the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, where he has been teaching since 1998.
He earned his 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees in communication from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and Enugu State University of Science and Technology, respectively. He was the Director of the Centre for Intellectual Properties, ESUT, and a Head of Department.
