A coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders from Abia Central Senatorial District has petitioned the National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, on the May 18, 2026 senatorial primary in the zone. In a petition, the group described claims of irregularities made by associates of Sam Onuigbo as a “calculated campaign of falsehood” designed to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general election. The stakeholders identified the individuals behind the previous petition, Uche Onyejekwe and Mrs. Ego Nwamuo, as Onuigbo’s personal staff. According to the signatories, the individuals are residents of Onuigbo’s home community of Ibere in Ikwuano LGA and do not represent the broader interests of the party’s senatorial leadership. The petition insisted they were intent on scuttling the party’s chances of victory in the state. The signatories pointed to a pattern of behavior, citing Onuigbo’s involvement in protracted litigation following the 2023 elections—an effort they claimed distracted the party from its campaign objectives and victory at the polls Addressing the controversy surrounding the May 18 primary, the stakeholders defended the integrity of the exercise, labeling it as a transparent reflection of the party faithful’s will. They provided the following vote tally to substantiate the landslide nature of the victory: Emeka Atuma – 36,935; Senator Nkechi Nwaogu – 11,457; Sam Onuigbo – 5,833 The group asserted that Onuigbo’s performance in the polls is a direct result of his lack of grassroots support, characterizing his subsequent protests as an attempt to “manufacture a crisis” where none exists. The stakeholders urged the APC National Working Committee to disregard the petitions filed by Onuigbo’s associates, insisting that the primary met all stipulated electoral requirements. They requested that the party leadership focus on maintaining momentum toward the 2027 polls rather than entertaining what they described as “fictitious allegations.” The petition was signed by a cross-section of influential party leaders from the district, including: Mrs. Ngozi Orji- (Ikwuano LGA, Former Executive Chairman); Tony Eze – (Umuahia North LGA); Dr. Max Adindu – (Umuahia South LGA, Former Member, Abia State House of Assembly); Obioma Chigbu – (Isiala-Ngwa South LGA); Dennis Amalagha; (Isiala Ngwa North LGA) and Nneoma B. Nwaigwe – (Osisioma LGA) The APC national leadership has not issued a formal response to the petition.