BY GORDI UDEAJAH

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was declared the winner in the Abia State All Progressive Congress APC presidential primary election held on Saturday 23rd of May 2026.

His victory over his rival Mr Stanley Osifo was declared by the Abia State presidential primary Returning Officer Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, who is the deputy Speaker, House of Representatives.

Hon Kalu announced that Tinubu polled a total of 161, 005 votes against Osifo’s total 1,007, describing the primary election as peacefully and successfully conducted in the 184 wards of the state.

He said that the results from the Wards were first submitted to the Local Government Area Coordinators, who re- submitted them to the party’s state Secretariat at Umuahia, the state capital , where they were finally collated before declaration.

According to Hon Kalu, going by these results, ” President Bola Ahmed TInubu has emerged the winner of the Abía APC Presidential primary in Abia State, having had the highest vote score in the primary election”.

A new political momentum is gathering strength in Obingwa West as Mrs Victoria Dibumma Onwubiko formally declared her intention to contest for the Abia State House of Assembly seat for Obingwa West Uhie Constituency under the Labour Party, presenting herself as a consensus driven aspirant focused on competent representation, inclusive governance and sustainable development.

Addressing party leaders, traditional rulers, women, youths and supporters during her declaration, Mrs Onwubiko said her decision to seek legislative office was inspired by a deep understanding of the challenges confronting the people of Obingwa West and a firm belief that effective representation remains critical to community growth and social transformation. She stated that her aspiration goes beyond political titles, stressing that leadership must be rooted in service, accountability and practical solutions to the daily realities faced by ordinary citizens.

The Labour Party aspirant, who was immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency, who had since resigned however said that her years in both the private and public sectors have equipped her with the administrative discipline, policy understanding and leadership capacity required to function effectively in the legislature.

According to her, governance demands more than ceremonial appearances, noting that lawmakers must actively participate in lawmaking, representation and oversight responsibilities that directly impact the welfare of citizens.

Speaking on her vision for Obingwa West, Mrs Onwubiko outlined plans to champion laws and policies aimed at youth empowerment, women support initiatives, improved education, healthcare delivery, infrastructural expansion and economic development. She pledged to advocate programmes capable of creating opportunities for young people, strengthening small businesses and improving road networks linking rural communities to markets and social services.

She explained that her experience since relocating to Osaa Ukwu in 2018 had given her closer contact with the realities confronting traders, farmers, artisans, teachers and families across the constituency.

She noted that these interactions deepened her resolve to pursue policies that would directly address unemployment, poor infrastructure and limited economic opportunities affecting residents of the area.

Mrs Onwubiko further highlighted her professional accomplishments, recalling her career progression from Unilever Nigeria to senior roles in telecommunications, banking, advertising and public administration. She stated that her recognition as Most Outstanding Staff of the Year at the First Bank Chief Executive Officer Annual Merit Awards reflected her commitment to excellence, innovation and accountability in service delivery.

Academically, she said she possesses the intellectual preparation necessary for legislative responsibilities, citing her degrees in Mass Communication, Marketing and Sociology from reputable institutions within and outside Nigeria. She added that her membership of professional bodies and extensive experience across multiple sectors have strengthened her understanding of governance, communication, public policy and organisational management.

The aspirant also revisited her previous political engagements, noting that she once served as Deputy Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress in Obingwa before joining the Labour Party in 2022 alongside the political movement that produced Governor Alex Otti. She disclosed that her participation in the 2023 House of Assembly election provided her with wider grassroots exposure and deeper insight into the expectations of the electorate.

In a passionate appeal for greater female inclusion in governance, Mrs Onwubiko expressed concern over what she described as the low representation of women in the legislative process in Abia State. She argued that women constitute a significant part of the population and contribute immensely to family welfare, education, healthcare and economic survival, yet remain underrepresented in decision making positions.

She maintained that increasing women participation in governance should not be viewed as a contest against men but as a necessary step towards balanced leadership and broader societal progress. According to her, empowering capable women to occupy public offices would strengthen governance outcomes and introduce perspectives that could enhance policy formulation and community development.

From the political watch, her declaration is a significant development capable of reshaping political conversations within Obingwa West ahead of the next electoral cycle. Supporters at the event also praised her professional background, grassroots connections and emphasis on purposeful leadership, while many women groups reportedly welcomed her aspiration as a positive signal for greater gender inclusion in Abia politics.

Mrs Onwubiko concluded her declaration with a call for unity, trust and collective action, assuring constituents that her ambition is centred on service, transparency and measurable results. She urged the people of Obingwa West to support a vision that prioritises competence, integrity and inclusive representation for the advancement of Uhie communities.

The declaration is already generating discussions across political and community circles, particularly among advocates of women participation in governance, with many viewing her emergence as a fresh chapter in the evolving political landscape of Obingwa West

Former two – term member of the House of Representatives for Ikwuano/Umuahia Constituency in Abia state Hon. Sam Onuigbo has demonstrated his intention to advance to the senate in 2027.

In this regard , he has procured and submitted his All Progressives Congress (APC) Expression of Interest and Nomination forms that would enable him join the contest for the party’s ticket for Abia Central Senatorial Senate seat in the 2027 election .

Speaking after formally submitting his completed Forms, Hon Onuigbo told journalists said he is confident of victory going by his asserted support of the people of Abia Central Senatorial District.

He said that the people of Abia Central who he said have bestowed a vote of confidence on him, cited his proven track record of performance and service.

“I have earned the trust of the people of Abia Central, who have bestowed on me a vote of confidence to continue providing purposeful service. It is a simple case of performance record. The people will base their decisions on what they have seen.”

Reaffirming that he will as senator, re-commit to his people-focused representation, which he said, was guided by his tagged principle of “Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Responsiveness” ( EAR ), pledged to subsist improvement in his service to the good people of Abia Central Senatorial District.

Hon Onuigbo, who recently formally resigned his appointment as the South East Representative on the Board of the North East Development Commission, to seek the Senate seat, welcomed all contestants for the APC Ticket, and the candidates of the political parties for the Abia Central Senatorial seat, urged them to be guided by the rules and the provisions of the extant law, to ensure free , fair exercise , and credible outcome/ results therefrom the election proper.