Member Representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/ South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the National Assembly and the APC Senatorial Candidate for Abia Central District in the just concluded National Assembly election, Sam Onuigbo has accused the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC of failing in its mandate of conducting a free and fair election, accusing the commission of performing below expectations.
The lawmaker also accused his party the APC of gang up against him after his victory at the Supreme Court where he was certified the APC candidate for the contest, a judgment that ousted Emeka Atuma.
In a statement on Wednesday, Rep. Onuigbo said the name of his party was excluded from the result sheet for the 2023 Abia Central Senatorial Election, insisting that any figure allocated to him after the contest was shambolic and should not be relied upon.
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He said, “It is in line with my desire to continue serving my people that I joined the race for the Senatorial Seat for Abia Central on the platform of my Party , APC which witnessed Political gang up against my candidacy by some self-centered members of the party.
“On Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, the battle ended in my favour to the glory of God, the giver of power. The Supreme Court on that day affirmed that I was the validly elected candidate of the party for Abia Central Senatorial District. The Court further affirmed the judgment of the Court of Appeal that Hon Emeka Atuma never participated in the Abia Central Senatorial District primary election.
“At this juncture I would like to thank the judiciary for rising to the occasion and dislodging the political gangsterism, which then enabled me to contest for last Saturday’s general elections.
“However, it is very astonishing that the conduct of last Saturday’s Elections left much to be desired as INEC failed in it’s statutory responsibility of ensuring free, fair and credible poll.
“It is disheartening to inform you that INEC failed to include the name of my party on the result sheet for the 2023 Abia Central Senatorial Election, consequently the documentation of my scores in the Election was shambolic. This made a mess of your votes for me and left our votes at the mercy of Presiding Officers who chose to either leave out the result, record it among the invalid votes or in rare cases create a column with their own hands to enter it.”
While wondering why his party was excluded from the result sheet after it was since December uploaded on INEC portal, the lawmaker said he is in consultation with his legal team for a possible redress on the omission of the party from the result sheet.
“Let me state in clear terms that I reject in its totality the strange figure of 7,997 votes as manufactured and allocated to me and my party by INEC in an effort to save their face“, he said.
He added, “Be that as it may, I want to thank the good people of Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South, Abia Central Senatorial Zone, the media, my friends, associates and indeed Ndi Abia and Nigerians for the unquantifiable love shown me before now and during the election despite various attempts to pull me down.
“Over the years, you have given me undiluted support through your prayers, advice, phone calls, encouragement, etc, which was drawn from my service to humanity and I do not take them for granted.
“Your genuine support to me has helped me through this period of time to forgive all those who deliberately set out to deny me what legitimately was mine and all those who wronged me.
“I therefore assure you that I will continue to reciprocate this love which you have always showered on me for a long time now.
“I promise to liaise with my successor, the incoming Senator for Abia Central Zone as well as the incoming administration in the state and at the federal levels to ensure the completion of all the ongoing projects attracted by me including:
“The Umuahia – Umudike 16km Dualization Project with a flyover from Amachara to Ossah.
“The Federal Secretariat Project, Ekeoba, Umuahia North.
“Okwe – Obuohia – Nkari federal Road in Abia and Akwa Ibom States
“The erosion control Project in Elemega, Agbor Ibere autonomous community, in Ikwuano LGA.
“The devastating gully erosion at Amaegbu village in Ugwuegbu autonomous community in Ariam Usaka, Ikwuano LGA.
“The erosion control challenges and danger of major fire outbreak at PPMC pipeline in Umunwanwa in Umuahia South LGA
“The Skills Acquisition Center in Apumiri Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA Headquarters which I am hopeful will be completed before the end of this administration, and
“The Achingali – Udobi- Obizi road in Imo state to Umunwanwa and Ubakala in Umuahia South, Abia State in order to achieve the ultimate target which is making life more meaningful for the people.
“Finally, I want to appeal to my numerous supporters and the Odozi Obodo family to remain peaceful and law abiding in the face of this provoking situation.”
