Abia Central APC Stakeholders Accuse Sam Onuigbo of Sabotage, Petition National Chairman (2027)

A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from the Abia Central Senatorial District has petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, to address allegations of electoral malpractice made against the May 18 APC senatorial primary.

In a formal petition released Monday, the group described claims of irregularities made by associates of Hon. Sam Onuigbo as a “calculated campaign of falsehood” intended to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The stakeholders identified the individuals behind the previous petition—Uche Onyejekwe and Mrs. Ego Nwamuo—as personal staff members of Hon. Sam Onuigbo. According to the signatories, these individuals are residents of Onuigbo’s home community of Ibere in Ikwuano LGA and do not represent the broader interests of the party’s senatorial leadership.

The petition accuses Hon. Onuigbo of acting as a “paid mercenary” intent on scuttling the party’s chances of victory in Abia State. The signatories cited a pattern of behaviour, noting Onuigbo’s involvement in protracted litigation following the 2023 elections—a move they claimed distracted the party from its campaign objectives and victory at the polls.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the May 18 primary, the stakeholders defended the exercise’s integrity, labeling it a transparent reflection of the party faithful’s will. They provided the following vote tally to substantiate the landslide nature of the victory: Hon. Emeka Atuma – 36,935; Senator Nkechi Nwaogu – 11,457; Hon. Sam Onuigbo – 5,833.

The group asserted that Hon. Onuigbo’s performance in the polls is a direct result of his lack of grassroots support, characterising his subsequent protests as an attempt to “manufacture a crisis” where none exists.

The stakeholders urged the APC National Working Committee to disregard the petitions filed by Onuigbo’s associates, insisting that the primary met all stipulated electoral requirements. They requested that the party leadership focus on maintaining momentum toward the 2027 polls rather than entertaining what they described as “fictitious allegations.”

The petition was signed by a cross‑section of influential party leaders from the district, including: Mrs. Ngozi Orji (Ikwuano LGA, former Executive Chairman); Tony Eze (Umuahia North LGA); Dr. Max Adindu (Umuahia South LGA, former Member, Abia State House of Assembly); Obioma Chigbu (Isiala‑Ngwa South LGA); Dennis Amalagha (Isiala Ngwa North LGA); and Nneoma B. Nwaigwe (Osisioma LGA).

At press time, the national leadership of the APC has not issued a formal response to the petition.