Onuigbo declares for Abia Central Senate Seat, promises experienced leadership

Politics
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March 21, 2026
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ALIMOTU SHADIAT

A former member of the House of Representatives,Rt.Hon. Sam Ifeanyichukwu Onuigbo, has formally declared his intention to contest the Abia Central Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging to deploy his wealth of experience in advancing effective representation and national development.

Onuigbo made the declaration on Friday at Odoziobodo Hills in Obuohia Obi Ibere, Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, before a gathering of party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters from across the senatorial district.

Speaking at the event, the former federal lawmaker described his ambition as a response to a “historical imperative” and a call to service rooted in his lifelong commitment to community development.

“It is with a great sense of responsibility that I stand before you to declare my intention to contest the Abia Central Senatorial seat in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said, adding that his decision followed extensive consultations with family members, political associates, and party leaders.

Onuigbo, who previously represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency, emphasized that his political journey has been guided by the principle of service to humanity; a value he said is encapsulated in his “Odoziobodo” philosophy.

Recounting his humble beginnings, the APC chieftain said his upbringing in Obuohia shaped his determination to improve the lives of others. He recalled trekking long distances to school and engaging in subsistence activities as a child, experiences he said inspired his interventions in education and infrastructure.

According to him, these early challenges motivated him to attract development projects to his community, including classroom blocks at Community Primary School, Obuohia Obi Ibere, and the establishment of a secondary school to reduce the burden of long-distance trekking for students.

Onuigbo noted that his professional career at the United States Consulate in Lagos, where he served for nearly 18 years, provided him with critical exposure to public policy, diplomacy, and governance. He added that the experience prepared him for subsequent roles in public service.

He later served as Commissioner for Lands and Survey and Commissioner for Finance in Abia State, as well as Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Speaker of the House of Representatives during the Sixth National Assembly.

Highlighting his legislative record, Onuigbo pointed to his two-term tenure in the House of Representatives from 2015 to 2023, during which he sponsored motions and facilitated key projects in his constituency.

Among the projects he listed were the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Umuahia–Ikwuano–Ikot Ekpene federal road, erosion control works in several communities, electricity projects, and the facilitation of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State.

He also cited his role in the restoration of previously delisted Management Sciences courses at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, as well as his sponsorship of the Climate Change Act 2021, a landmark environmental legislation that brought Nigeria global recognition in sustainability.

The former lawmaker used the occasion to defend his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in 2020, describing it as a decision driven by political foresight and the need for progressive governance.

“I feel vindicated by recent developments in the political space, as many who once opposed progressive ideals have now embraced them,” he said.

Onuigbo aligned his senatorial ambition with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing the need for experienced and credible lawmakers in the National Assembly to support national development.

He warned against electing what he described as “persons of doubtful pedigree,” urging voters to prioritize candidates with proven track records of integrity, competence, and performance.

According to him, his campaign would be anchored on the principles of effectiveness, accessibility, and responsiveness, which he said defined his previous engagements in public office.

Onuigbo also promised an inclusive representation model that would ensure all wards, local governments, and communities in Abia Central benefit from constituency outreach and development initiatives.

While thanking APC leaders and members in Abia Central for their support in previous elections, he expressed confidence in securing the party’s ticket and emerging victorious in the 2027 senatorial poll.

He further called on constituents to critically assess aspirants based on their contributions to society, noting that Nigeria’s democratic growth requires the election of leaders with verifiable achievements.

“As we approach another election cycle, the responsibility lies with the people to choose leaders who have demonstrated genuine commitment to public service,” he said.

The declaration signals the beginning of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections in Abia State, with Onuigbo positioning himself as a leading contender for the Abia Central Senate seat under the APC.

Read his declaration speech below:

Speech by Rep. Sir Sam Ifeanyichukwu Onuigbo FCIS, FNIM, KJW (Odozi obodo Gburugburu) declaring his intention to contest for the Abia Central Senatorial Seat in the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 National Assembly election on Friday March 20, 2026 at Odoziobodo Hills Obuohia Obi Ibere, Ikwuano LGA, Abia State.

Protocol:

Time to Invest Experience in Renewed Hope.

My dear good people of Abia Central Senatorial District, it is with great sense of responsibility and historical imperative that I stand here before you to declare my intention to contest the Abia Central Senatorial seat in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in next year’s general election.

I have consulted with my immediate family, friends and associates on this historic decision. This gathering of my extended political family and leaders of our great party, the APC, is part of this ongoing conversation to engender commonality of understanding and ensure that we embark on this journey as a united family.

Right from my early life journey, I have always dedicated my attention on how to render service. This is supported by the motto of my organization; Odoziobodo which is Service to Humanity.

This knack for leadership through humble service found concrete expression in my nearly 18 years of unbroken and meritorious service with the US Embassy (Consulate General) in Lagos.

That diplomatic environment was the precursor to my community development vision and the actions that followed. It was there that I was first elected in December 1991 and inaugurated in February 1992 to represent quality people at the US Mission to Nigeria like the great people of Abia Central.

Recall that I had my humble beginnings around this Odozi Obodo Hills – not far from this spot. I hunted rats, squirrels and other animals in the surrounding bush. It was also here that I trekked a total of 12 kilometers a day going and returning from school, felt the pain of doing so and wondered what the future would hold. Never did I know at the time that these experiences would crystalize or mould my understanding of life, and the drive to be of service to humanity.

That experience led to my decision to attract some classroom blocks to my alma mater , Community Primary School Obuohia Obi Ibere, from the United States’ Consulate.

Although the construction of classroom blocks was not the equivalent of constituency projects, that effort came as part of sustained advocacy and pressure on the US Embassy to ease the congestion of Primary School children in my local community.

I also conceived the plan to attract to my community a secondary school to ease the suffering of future generation of students and overcome the suffering of trekking more than 12 kilometres in their bid to access secondary education like I did during my time. I brought US Ambassador in Nigeria to lay the foundation of Ambassador’s College in this village. This College has stood the test of time, and it is still standing today to the glory of God.

Apart from the classroom blocks and secondary school I attracted to the community, my 18 years’ stint as a staff of the United States Consulate in Lagos helped me to hone skills in public policy, as well as hands-on experience in diplomatic, legislative, and policy leadership experience across governance and international cooperation.

With due respect, I make bold to say that riding on these unparalleled skills acquired at the US Embassy in various positions of Supervisory Fraud Prevention Specialist, I was privileged to serve Abia State meritoriously as Commissioner for Lands & Survey (2011–2012) and Finance (2012–2013), respectively.

My journey towards excellence in public service also led me to Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 6th National Assembly.

As God will have it, at about this time in 2015, I was elected to represent the good people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives for two consecutive terms (2015–2019; 2019–2023). To date, I was the representative to have been re-elected in this great federal constituency.

In 2020, when some people decided to play god, I identified myself with the dire need for progressive politics and moved from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was a great show of political foresight, because in recent times, most of those who celebrated impunity in PDP have found their way into APC or somewhere else. I feel vindicated, not only because these power mongers have seen what I saw like John the Baptist, but above all, that the present times and season dictate that honour should be placed beyond political expediency.

By declaring for the Senate contest, I wish to assure you, my people; that I will always reflect humility, integrity, honour and diligence in the work of representing you. I have shown myself a good ambassador to our community, state and people by the string of excellent record of achievements in my previous assignments.

For instance, today, the singular signature legislation that catapulted Nigeria into global reckoning in sustainability was sponsored by me, your son. As a result of that unique achievement, many domestic and international organisations have recognized me with various honours and awards.

I say these with every sense of modesty, but most importantly to put it on record that the mandate I seek as your Senator is not for selfish aggrandizement.

Rather, I feel elated that I am not only doubly qualified to serve our zone as Senator, but also confident to bring you honour and accomplished representation. I am bold to say that my journey to the Nigerian Senate is to invest my rich experience and reflect hope as enacapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda of our leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

I wish to state that the consolidation of the Renewed Hope Agenda is predicated on the preponderance of qualitative lawmakers in the 11th National Assembly. Consequently, Abia State, as God’s Own State, cannot afford to send intellectual Lilliputs, or persons of doubtful pedigree to the next star-studded National Assembly being envisaged by Nigerian nation led by President Tinubu and Nigerians.

What this calls for is that only those that have been tried, tested and not found wanting, either in character, carriage and comportment deserve your support to represent Abia Central Senatorial Zone in the 11th Senate.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the leaders and members of Abia Central chapter of APC for supporting me to fly the party’s flag in 2023. I commend you immensely for that stalwart, because it confers on me the right of first refusal and defending champion in the forthcoming Senatorial poll come January 8, 2027.

I have continued to engage in issues of national and international importance to buttress the fact that I possess the strong voice and network to represent Abia Central Senatorial Zone in the Red Chamber come June, 2027.

My excellent people of Abia Central, while the coming election season provides opportunity for many individuals to show up in search of your mandate, please do well to base your consideration on proven track records on personal integrity and sense of responsible performance.

If supported to represent our zone in the Senate, I will ensure that every ward, state constituency and local government will serve as fulcrum of representation through a seamless constituency consultation strategy.

I have produced a small magazine to serve as a brief outline of what I have been able to do in the past, believing accountability should be the watchword of every ing more than 12 kilometres in their bid to access educational facility.

Apart from the classroom blocks and secondary school I also attracted a Secondary School to my community to ease the pain of students who had trek 12 kilometres to and from school every schoolday, my 18 years’ stint as a staff of the United States Consulate General in Lagos helped me to hone skills in public policy, as well as hands-on experience in diplomatic, legislative, and policy leadership experience across governance and international cooperation.

My journey towards excellence in public service also led me to Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives during the 6th National Assembly.

In 2020, when some people decided to play god, I identified myself with the dire need for progressive politics and moved from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was a great show of political foresight, because in recent times, most of those who celebrated impunity in PDP have found their way into APC or elsewhere. I feel vindicated, not only because these power mongers have seen what I saw like John the Baptist, but above all, that the present times and season dictate that honour should be placed beyond political expediency.

By declaring for the Senate contest, I wish to assure you, my people; that I will always reflect humility, integrity, honour and diligence in the work of representing you. I wish to restate that I will continue to run on my principle of EAR–Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Responsiveness. I have shown myself a good ambassador to our community, state and people by the string of excellent record of achievements in my previous assignments.

I have listed below just a few of the projects that I facilitated to our federal constituency and state when I represented the people of great Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency.

Additionally, in my two terms in the House of Representatives, I moved critical motions for the benefits of my constituents and wider Nigerians. I attracted and executed many projects in Ikwuano/ Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency of Abia State. The communities that were impacted by these projects are here today, and can testify. Such projects included (as you can see from the video projection):

● Rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road in December 2016 to April, 2017;

● The ongoing total reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene federal road awarded in 2019;

● The facilitation of the design of the Umuahia-Umudike 16 Kilometres Dualization Project with an interchange (flyover) from Amachara to Ossa Ibeku;

● Facilitation of the construction of a Federal Secretariat to Abia State after 34 years of its creation;

● Erosion control work at Ukwudara Amankwo Ezeleke, Amachara, Umuopara in Umuahia South LGA;

● Erosion control works at Okweukwu Oboro-Obuohia Road in Ikwuano LGA;

● Major electricity project at Usaka and so many other projects that can be verified.

The restoration in 2025 of the delisted Management Sciences Courses from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU) since 2016/2017

Additionally, today, the singular signature legislation that catapulted Nigeria into global reckoning in sustainability was sponsored by me, your son. As a result of that unique achievement, many domestic and international organisations have recognized me with various honours and awards.

I say these with every sense of modesty, but most importantly to put it on record that the mandate I seek as your Senator is not for selfish aggrandizement.

I wish to state that the consolidation of the Renewed Hope Agenda is predicated on the preponderance of qualitative lawmakers in the 11th National Assembly. Consequently, Abia State, as God’s Own State, cannot afford to send intellectual Lilliputs, or persons of doubtful pedigree to the star-studded National Assembly being envisaged by Nigerians and President Tinubu.

Let me use this opportunity to thank the leaders and members of Abia APC, especially Abia Central chapter of our great party for supporting me to fly the party’s flag in 2023. I commend you immensely for that stalwart, because it confers on me the right of first refusal and defending champion in the forthcoming Senatorial poll come January 8, 2027.

After nearly twenty seven years of unbroken democratic dispensation, Nigerians should be able to elect leaders who deserve to lead them based on their verifiable track records of genuine and transparent accomplishments.

If supported to represent our District in the Senate, I will ensure that every ward, state constituency and local government will serve as fulcrum of representation through a seamless constituency consultation strategy.

I have produced a small magazine to serve as a brief outline of what I have been able to do.

Thank you for your kind attention.