By Einstein Chukwu
Former federal lawmaker, Rt Hon Sam Ifeanyi Onuigbo, has formally entered the race for the Abia Central Senatorial seat after purchasing the All Progressives Congress expression of interest and nomination forms for the 2027 general election.
Onuigbo, who served two terms in the House of Representatives between 2015 and 2023, is widely known for stepping aside after his tenure, allowing others the opportunity to serve. Supporters say the decision reflects restraint in a political space often dominated by prolonged tenures.
During his time in the National Assembly, the former federal lawmaker built a record anchored on legislative engagement, oversight responsibilities and constituency interventions that cut across education, infrastructure, healthcare and human capital development.
At the legislative level, Onuigbo moved a number of motions that addressed both national and constituency concerns. Among them was a motion calling for urgent reconstruction of the Umuahia Ikwuano Ikot Ekpene Federal Road, a major economic route linking communities in Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
He also raised a motion seeking to check the admission of students into tertiary institutions for courses not accredited by the National Universities Commission, a step aimed at protecting students and parents from investing in programmes that do not lead to valid certification.
In another intervention, he moved a motion to stop the distortion of Nigeria’s national flag through the improper placement of the coat of arms, while also initiating steps to amend the relevant law. He further presented a motion urging the immortalisation of former Super Eagles coaches, Stephen Keshi and Amodu Shuaibu, following revelations that they were owed by the government at the time of their deaths.
Onuigbo equally presented petitions on the wrongful dismissal of over 300 staff of a commercial bank and on the termination of employment of some workers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, pressing for due process and payment of entitlements.
He also led a legislative push against a directive that sought to remove non agricultural courses from federal universities of agriculture. Through sustained advocacy and consultations, the effort contributed to the restoration of affected programmes, including Management Sciences at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Onuigbo facilitated the construction of a Federal Secretariat in Abia State more than three decades after the state’s creation, a long awaited federal presence that strengthens administrative access and national visibility.
His most notable legislative effort remains the Climate Change Act, a framework he initiated in 2016 to guide Nigeria’s response to climate issues. The law integrates climate considerations into national policy and aligns Nigeria with international obligations under global agreements.
As Chairman of the House Committee on Climate Change, Onuigbo played active roles in national and international engagements. He participated in the Ogoni clean up exercise and was part of Nigeria’s delegation to global climate conferences in Paris, Marrakech and Bonn. He also witnessed the signing of the Paris Agreement at the United Nations General Assembly.
Within the committee, he organised over a dozen sessions with Ministries, Departments and Agencies to strengthen awareness and budgetary commitment to climate issues, helping to secure about ₦8 billion in funding for related programmes.
At the constituency level, his interventions covered critical infrastructure. He worked with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to address the deplorable condition of the Umuahia Ikwuano Ikot Ekpene Road and ensured its inclusion in the federal budget. He also facilitated plans for an alternative route linking Okwe Oboro, Obuohia and Nkari, including the design of the Ehie Bridge.
Onuigbo’s engagement extended to scholarships and skills development. He sustained support for students at secondary, undergraduate and postgraduate levels, while organising training programmes in entrepreneurship, mechanics and fish farming. These initiatives were conducted in partnership with institutions such as the Kolping Society, the National Automotive Council and the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology.
In infrastructure, he attracted the construction of classroom blocks in Ekebedi Oboro and Old Umuahia, as well as health centres in Oloko and Obuohia Obi Ibere. He also facilitated the inclusion of key inter village roads in development budgets, including the Akpahia Obi Ohuru road and the Okwe Obuohia axis.
His empowerment programmes reached farmers through the distribution of agricultural inputs to over 250 beneficiaries, while employment opportunities were facilitated for dozens of constituents across public and private sectors.
In media support, he intervened in restoring operations at the Nigerian Television Authority in Umuahia by providing a generating plant and engaging relevant authorities. He also donated equipment to Pacesetter FM following a fire incident and supported the digital transition of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State.
Water and electricity projects featured prominently in his interventions. He facilitated the installation of a solar powered borehole at Avonkwu Ibeku and supported electricity projects across communities including Usaka Ukwu, Oloko and Obuohia Obi Ibere.
Environmental protection efforts included erosion control works at Amankwo Ezeleke, Amachara in Umuopara, Umuahia South, as well as at Okwe Oboro in Ikwuano, projects valued at about ₦760 million. He also facilitated the construction of the Elemaga Itunta mini bridge in Ibere to improve connectivity.
Onuigbo’s constituency projects further include the establishment of a skills acquisition centre at Apumiri Ubakala, designed to equip youths and women with practical skills, and continued support for educational facilities at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture.
He also maintained direct engagement with constituents through meetings and seasonal support initiatives, providing food items and financial assistance during festive periods. In sports development, he organised football competitions in Ibere and Obuohia Obi Ibere to engage youths constructively.
Party stalwarts say his tenure was marked by sustained activity on the floor of the House and a visible presence in constituency affairs, distinguishing him as an active participant rather than a passive legislator.
With his formal entry into the Senate race, political watchers in Abia Central say the coming months will test the strength of his record against other aspirants as the APC prepares for its primaries.
Many in Abia Central insist that a record built on sustained legislative engagement, oversight and tangible community impact merits the opportunity to serve at the Senate. They argue that the choice should rest not on projections but on performance already tested and visible. In their view, Onuigbo represents not a promise of what could be, but proof of what has been done and what can be advanced further.
