2027: Abia Central APC Stakeholders Petition Chairman, Accuse Sam Onuigbo of Sabotaging Party
“Political tension is escalating within the APC in Abia State as influential stakeholders openly accuse former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo of sabotaging the party ahead of the 2027 elections. The explosive petition to the APC national leadership has exposed deep cracks within the party’s Abia Central structure.”
“A coalition of APC stakeholders from Abia Central Senatorial District has petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, accusing former lawmaker Sam Onuigbo of attempting to destabilize the APC through alleged false claims against the May 18 senatorial primary election. The stakeholders defended the credibility of the exercise and urged the APC leadership to disregard petitions challenging the results.”
“The internal crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State took a dramatic turn on Monday after prominent stakeholders from Abia Central Senatorial District accused former federal lawmaker, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, of allegedly orchestrating a campaign aimed at destabilizing the party ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a strongly-worded petition addressed to APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the group dismissed allegations surrounding the May 18 senatorial primary as “falsehood” and “politically motivated.”
A coalition of stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Abia Central Senatorial District has petitioned the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, over allegations of electoral malpractice linked to the party’s May 18 senatorial primary election.
In the petition released on Monday, the stakeholders described allegations of irregularities reportedly raised by associates of former federal lawmaker, Hon. Sam Onuigbo, as a “calculated campaign of falsehood” allegedly designed to destabilize the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group specifically identified the individuals behind the earlier petition — Uche Onyejekwe and Mrs. Ego Nwamuo — as personal aides and loyal associates of Hon. Onuigbo.
According to the stakeholders, both individuals are from Ibere community in Ikwuano Local Government Area and do not represent the wider interests of APC members across Abia Central Senatorial District.
Furthermore, the petition accused Onuigbo of allegedly acting as a “paid mercenary” whose actions could undermine the APC’s electoral chances in Abia State.
The stakeholders also referenced events following the 2023 general elections, alleging that Onuigbo’s involvement in prolonged legal disputes distracted the party and weakened its campaign momentum during the polls.
Meanwhile, the group defended the credibility of the May 18 senatorial primary election, insisting that the exercise was transparent, peaceful and reflected the genuine wishes of party members.
To support their position, the stakeholders released the official vote tally from the primary election:
Hon. Emeka Atuma — 36,935 votes
Senator Nkechi Nwaogu — 11,457 votes
Hon. Sam Onuigbo — 5,833 votes
According to the petitioners, the outcome of the election clearly demonstrated the level of grassroots support enjoyed by the candidates, arguing that Onuigbo’s protests stemmed from his poor performance at the polls.
“The attempt to manufacture a crisis where none exists should not be encouraged by the party leadership,” the stakeholders reportedly stated.
Consequently, the coalition urged the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to disregard petitions challenging the credibility of the primary election, insisting that all constitutional and electoral procedures were duly followed.
The stakeholders further appealed to the party leadership to remain focused on strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections instead of being distracted by what they described as “fictitious allegations.”
Signatories to the petition include notable APC leaders across the senatorial district such as Mrs. Ngozi Orji, former Executive Chairman from Ikwuano LGA; Tony Eze from Umuahia North LGA; Dr. Max Adindu, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly from Umuahia South LGA; Obioma Chigbu from Isiala Ngwa South LGA; Dennis Amalagha from Isiala Ngwa North LGA; and Nneoma B. Nwaigwe from Osisioma LGA.
As of the time of filing this report, the national leadership of the APC had yet to issue an official response to the petition.
However, reacting to allegations surrounding the May 18 APC senatorial primary, Onuigbo maintained that there were serious irregularities in Ward 2 and other wards in Osisioma local government area, alleging that the election results may have been manipulated.
He called on investigators to consult key party figures, including Senator Nkechi Nwaogu and the LGA party chairman, to confirm whether elections were actually conducted in the affected areas.
Onuigbo, however, stated that he was not interested in creating unnecessary controversy but merely seeking clarification and verification of the facts surrounding the exercise.
