2027: BLESSING NWAGBA PRESENTS ABIA SOUTH SENATORIAL AMBITION TO APC SWC IN UMUAHIA
The Abia State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, received former Abia State lawmaker, Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba, PhD, popularly known as Total Blessing at the party’s state secretariat in Umuahia, where she formally declared her intention to contest the Abia South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election, a position she previously contested in 2023 on the APC platform.
Hon. Nwagba and her entourage were warmly received by members of the State Working Committee, including Justice Onwumelu, Zonal Chairman, Abia South; Prince Anthony Egbulefu Okeh, Zonal Chairman, Abia Central; Barr. Virginus Chukwu Nwankwo, State Legal Adviser; Hon. Engr. Nnabugwu Chimezie Darlington Ujoh Umunna, State Financial Secretary; Engr. Emmanuel Nosike Onwughara, State Auditor; Hon. Mike Ukoha Emeka Okoroafor, State Organizing Secretary; Mrs. C.C. Erondu, State Woman Leader; Lolo Josephine Chukwu, State Assistant Woman Leader; John Ajuzieogu, State Treasurer; Uche Aguoru, State Publicity Secretary; Chief Chidi Avoaja, State Secretary; Comrade Benedict Godson, Assistant State Secretary; Ihesiulo Chinedu, State Deputy Chairman; and Hon. Chief Sir Chijioke Chukwu, State Chairman.
Speaking during the visit, the APC State Chairman, Hon. Chief Sir Chijioke Chukwu, commended Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba for joining the race for the Abia South Senatorial seat, describing her as a resilient and accomplished politician whose legislative experience and integrity distinguished her among her peers.
He noted that women who had served in legislative positions deserved commendation because lawmaking is demanding and often required personal sacrifice and commitment beyond official duties.
According to him, Hon. Nwagba’s ability to survive and excel as the only female member of the Abia State House of Assembly during one of the most turbulent periods in the state’s political history was a testament to her strength and political sagacity.
The APC chairman further praised her for maintaining an unblemished public image and for contributing meaningfully to the development of the state.
He also referenced her son, Mr. Uzoma Nwagba, whom he described as one of the nation’s most respected public officials, noting that his leadership of CREDICORP without scandal reflected the strong values and sound upbringing associated with the family.
Hon. Chukwu reiterated the party’s commitment to encouraging greater female participation in politics and disclosed that if the party eventually adopted an affirmative action framework for women, Hon. Nwagba would be one of its major beneficiaries.
He urged stakeholders and constituents in Abia South to support her aspiration and assured her that the party leadership would continue to advocate fairness and justice for women within the APC.
He added that the APC remained a gender-friendly party committed to accommodating women in leadership and elective positions.
Introducing the delegation, Dr. Tony Egu said members of the entourage included Hon. Chinyere Chijioke, Nze Obinna Ahukanna, Chief Precious Nwaohia, Mrs. Florence Henry, Gladys Anyim, Nono, among others.
Dr. Egu described Hon. Nwagba as an experienced and courageous politician who successfully navigated the challenges of serving in a male-dominated legislature.
He recalled that during her tenure in the Abia State House of Assembly, she became widely known as “Madam Matter of Urgent Public Importance” because of her consistency in raising issues affecting her constituency on the floor of the House.
He expressed confidence that she would perform even better if given the opportunity to represent Abia South in the Senate and formally presented her to the State Working Committee as the party’s senatorial aspirant.
In her remarks, Hon. Dame Blessing Nwagba expressed gratitude to God and thanked the party leadership for receiving her warmly.
She said her decision to formally present herself before the SWC was informed by the need to officially notify the party leadership of her intention to contest the Abia South Senatorial election in 2027.
She observed that the APC in Abia State had experienced difficult moments in the past, including divisions and internal crises, but expressed happiness that members of the party were now united under one platform without factions.
Describing herself as a committed APC member who had invested significantly in the growth and survival of the party during its most difficult periods, she said she remained confident in the future of the APC in Abia State.
Hon. Nwagba acknowledged several party leaders present during her visit, including the State Chairman, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu, whom she described as straightforward and respectful, as well as Chief Chidi Avoaja, who served as her secretary during her last election campaign. She also praised Justice Onwumelu, the Abia South Zonal Chairman, who previously served as her campaign manager.
The two-time lawmaker who represented Aba North State Constituency said she decided to contest the Senate seat not because others had joined the race, but because she believed she possessed the capacity to make the APC proud both during the election and in the National Assembly if elected.
She maintained that she had the grassroots support necessary to win the election, recalling that during the 2023 election she traversed the entire Abia South Senatorial District at a time when the APC structure in the area was weak and heavily overshadowed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to her, despite the challenges confronting the party at the time, she played a significant role in strengthening APC activities in Aba and other parts of the senatorial district.
She noted that her political experience extended beyond legislative service, having also contested the governorship election in Abia State in 2019.
Hon. Nwagba said her years in politics had enabled her to build strong relationships across the state, which she intended to leverage to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections.
Reflecting on her tenure representing Aba North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, she said she remained deeply connected to her constituents and accessible to the people, a factor that enabled her to consistently raise issues of public concern during legislative sessions.
She assured party leaders that she possessed the experience, erudition, financial capacity and political structure required to prosecute the senatorial election successfully and promised to mobilize adequate resources for the party’s victory.
The APC aspirant also highlighted her role as Chairperson of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, explaining that the organization was committed to promoting women’s participation in politics and governance.
She argued that women had demonstrated competence in leadership, administration, economy and political affairs, and therefore deserved greater opportunities in elective positions.
Hon. Nwagba further stated that her widespread familiarity with communities across Abia South, coupled with her long-standing political relationships and support base, positioned her strongly for victory in the 2027 election.
She described herself as capable, responsible, experienced, and a woman of integrity who was fully prepared to deliver electoral victory for the APC if entrusted with the party’s senatorial ticket.
The visit ended with a vote of thanks delivered by the State Assistant Woman Leader, Lolo Josephine Chukwu, while the closing prayer was offered by the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Virginus Chukwu Nwankwo.
