Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia Central Senatorial District have endorsed former federal lawmaker Sam Onuigbo as their preferred candidate for the Senate ahead of the party’s National Assembly primaries.
The endorsement was reached during a strategic meeting held in Umuahia, where party leaders from the six local government areas in the district evaluated the qualifications, experience, and political strength of various aspirants.
The Abia Central senatorial seat is currently held by Austin Akobundu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who assumed office in 2023 following a Court of Appeal judgment that altered the earlier election outcome.
Stakeholders, led by Augustine Anyaegbu, said their decision was based on Onuigbo’s legislative record, particularly his role in sponsoring the Climate Change Act 2021, which they described as a major policy achievement.
Onuigbo, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023, is widely regarded within the party for his contributions to lawmaking, especially in environmental policy.
The stakeholders said they carefully assessed all aspirants before settling on Onuigbo, adding that his political experience and legislative performance stood out among contenders.
They also argued that the APC requires candidates with strong electoral value who can strengthen President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political influence in Abia State.
According to them, Onuigbo has consistently supported and promoted the party since joining at a time when its presence in the state was relatively weak.
The group further noted that his voluntary completion of two terms in the House of Representatives reflects discipline and commitment to political fairness.
They expressed satisfaction with his alignment to the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and urged the party leadership to support his candidacy.
The stakeholders also called on the national leadership of the APC to ensure fairness in its internal processes and avoid actions that could undermine loyalty within the party structure.
They commended the party’s national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, for assuring members that long-standing stakeholders would be duly recognised.
