Rep Sam Onuigbo



Rep Sam Onuigbo on Friday says he will be appealing the judgement of the Federal High Court,  Umuahia which dismissed his suit challenging the  illegal substitution of his name as the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abia Central Senatorial candidate at the Court of Appeal. 

Onuigbo, member,  representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives who described the Court's ruling as a surprise affirmed that he emerged victorious in the primary election duly monitored by INEC, pointing out that only him and Chief Henry Ikoh contested the election on May 28, 2022

"As a lawmaker, I believe that the judiciary should at all times be the agency of justice and thus the hope of the common man. Unfortunately, I do not at this time feel that the Federal High Court, Umuahia has exhaustively looked into my case and taken the right decision. 

"It is my belief that it is unjust for the name of a legitimately elected candidate to be substituted with the name of someone who never bought the forms for the Senatorial seat, was never screened nor participated at any level of the Senatorial primaries. 

"Hon Emeka Atumah contested for Abia APC Gubernatorial primaries with High Chief Ikechi Emenike on May 26, 2022 and came second. Allowing this travesty to go unchallenged will be tantamount to giving injustice, illegal actions and impunity silent support. 

"No matter what, we must make our contributions to history as people who did our best to call out injustice and impunity wherever we saw it, and confront it using legal means", the lawmaker stated in a release he personally signed.

"Therefore, after consultation with my legal and strategy teams, I will be appealing this judgement at the Court of Appeal", he stated, and urged his  supporters to remain calm but resolute, and most importantly, peaceful and law abiding as the  campaign continue.

Dailyledger.com.ng reports that Onuigbo had dragged the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Hon   Atuma to Court as 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants respectively over alleged substitution of his name in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/UM/CS/113/2022.

Onuigbo had  prayed the court  to restrain the APC from substituting his name for the 2023 election.

He also prayed the court to mandate  the APC and INEC to immediately include his name as the Abia Central Senatorial district candidate of the party after he emerged as the winner of primary election held between May 28 and May 29.

Delivering judgment, Justice  Evelyn Anyadike held that the primary election conducted on May 28 and May 29, was inconclusive.

The judge said that the plaintiff was unable to prove the burden of proof that he won the primary election, and dismissed the case