Abia Central 2027: Atuma Explains Senate Bid, Promises Better Representation

By Charity Uwakwe

Why He Wants the Senate Seat.

Atuma says his Abia Central senatorial ambition is driven by service, human capital development and infrastructure as he seeks support ahead of the 2027 elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Abia Central, Hon. Emeka Atuma, has said his decision to contest the 2027 senatorial election is not driven by a desire to wield power or improve his personal circumstances, but by a commitment to serving the people.

Atuma made this known while addressing residents of Umuode Autonomous Community in Osisioma Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State during his ongoing door-to-door sensitisation ahead of the 2027 general election.

The former federal lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as the poor state of development in Abia Central, insisting that his priority was to improve the lives of the people through human capital development and infrastructure.

He said he was prepared to dedicate to himself to the development of the district if elected to the Senate.

“We want to inform you that the development of our senatorial district is paramount in our hearts, both in human capital and infrastructure.

“We’re not going into government just to wield power or improve our lives. There is no kind of acquisition we have not seen in life. We’re surrendering everything for human development, which is service; to serve human beings,” he said.

Atuma Explains Why He Wants to Go to the Senate

Speaking further, Atuma said his major reason for seeking election to the Senate was to provide quality representation and ensure that Abia Central had a stronger voice in the National Assembly.

“I raised my hand up to go to the Senate, and the primary reason I want to go to the Senate is to bring quality and quantity representation, a stronger voice for Abia Central in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

He lamented what he described as the slow pace of development in the senatorial district, adding that the area had remained backward for years.

“We have been backward in this senatorial district, and it does appear that nothing is happening again. We’re now in a comatose state,” he said.

Atuma also criticised the performance of those currently representing the district, arguing that their efforts had not translated into visible development for the people.

“Those representing us today are not showcasing anything to show government investments that translate to representation, and we have endured this over the years. This time, we’ll be counted as one of the politicians that move around to seek votes and tell stories,” he said.

He, however, expressed confidence in his ability to change the situation and take Abia Central to a higher level of development.

Atuma Identifies Osisioma Ngwa as Key to Abia Central Election

Earlier, while addressing party members at Ama-Asato Autonomous Community, Atuma thanked them for their support and described Ward 3 as predominantly APC.

He said Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area was strategically important to the outcome of the Abia Central senatorial election.

“Osisioma Ngwa Local Government is predominantly APC, and we are not afraid because the area is strategic to determining the outcome of the Abia Central Senatorial District election. Osisioma Ngwa is a very strategic local government, particularly Ward 3, where we are standing today,” he said.

Atuma also urged party members to intensify their grassroots engagement by reaching out to people who were not members of the party.

He expressed the hope that they would embark on door-to-door sensitisation to encourage more people to join the party, adding that he would return to the area.

“I anticipate that party members here will embark on door-to-door sensitisation to reach out to non-party members and bring them into the fold because I will be returning to this place,” he said, assuring them of quality representation.

APC Candidates Seek Support for Atuma

In his remarks, Prince Udo Christopher Alozie, the APC candidate for the Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, thanked the residents for the warm reception accorded Atuma.

He urged them to support Atuma’s senatorial ambition in the January 2027 election, calling on party members to reach out to others ahead of the poll.

“It will be in our favour if we go out and sensitise others so that they will all vote for Atuma, and I am certain that we will vote for him,” Alozie said.

He also assured the people of his commitment to effective representation and urged them to support the party’s candidates across all levels.

Also speaking, Hon. Iheanacho Ogunka, the APC candidate for Osisioma South State Constituency, described Osisioma Ngwa as predominantly APC and criticised the incumbent senator, Sen. Austin Akobundu, over what he said was a lack of visible development in the area.

“Our current senator has been empty-handed since 2023. There is nothing to show that Osisioma Ngwa is part of the constituency he represents,” Ogunka alleged.

He also highlighted Atuma’s achievements in Ikwuano/Umuahia and urged residents to support the senatorial candidate, expressing the hope that he would extend similar representation to Osisioma Ngwa.