Sam Onuigbo


Abia State APC appears to be heading into more stormy waters following alleged subterranean moves by some members of the  APC National Working Committee (NWC) to alter the result of Abia Central Senatorial District Primary which produced Hon Sam Onuigbo as winner


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that  less than twelve hours to the deadline given by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for names of Presidential, Senatorial and National assembly Candidates to be uploaded to INEC portal, there appears to be some subtle manipulations  to substitute Onuigbo's name reportedly for that of another candidate who did not participate in the primary


 Onuigbo emerged as APC's Abia Central Senatorial District candidate at its indirect primary held on Sunday May 29, 2022 in Umuahia, where he defeated  his closest rival, Hon Henry Ikoh 157-152. The primary election was observed by the  Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC observers, and APC National Secretariat Observers Team


Sources from APC National Secretariat alleged that some leaders of a faction of the party in Abia state and some South East zonal leaders have allegedly   mounted intense pressure on the NWC to replace Onuigbo's name as the APC Senate candidate for Abia Central. 


The sources revealed  that the Abia APC leaders are working with Chief Emma Enukwu, the party’s Deputy National Chairman, South to upturn the result of the primary election


The national daily, Daily Independent reports that  the move has attracted strong opposition from some vocal members of the NWC who argued that the action will put the NWC in disrepute.


According to the newspaper, when Onuigbo was  confronted with the grapevine findings, he said he is not aware of any threat to replace his name, stating that APC abhors impunity. He also submitted that the party will not toe the part considering the consequences of such high handed action, both legal and on the voting public of Abia Central Senatorial District.


“I don’t think the party will succumb to any such pressure, if what you say is contemplated. As far as I know the leadership of the party abhors impunity, and so far they have done well. I don’t think they will like to be associated with some that is against the law and they may deny the party votes in Abia”, Onuigbo said.