As the countdown to the 2027 general elections rises to a crescendo, Abia Central Senatorial District is poised to maintain the equity principle that has characterised the zone since the return of democracy. The zone comprises six Local Government Areas: Ikwuano, Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa. It has kept a reasonable balance of equity in representation in the Senate.
The political shift that produced Governor Alex Otti and Senator Darlington Nwokocha, both of the Labour Party and from the same local government area and ward, gave one community more than its fair share in a setting that practised equity. That changed with the Supreme Court ruling that enthroned the incumbent, Senator Austin Akobundu, who was elected on the PDP platform and is now in the ADC.
The challenge facing the zone, acknowledged by political stakeholders, is poor representation. It has left an infrastructure gap and few appointments for its sons and daughters in federal boards and commissions.
Stakeholders from across party lines, the author says, have endorsed Rep. Emeka Atuma, popularly called Kabila, as their choice for the 2027 election. He describes Atuma as an energetic, urbane and progressive politician, whose record as a lawmaker for the Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency from 2003 to 2007 remains a benchmark for later representation.
According to the author, Atuma, a first-time lawmaker, sponsored the laws establishing the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA). He also credits him with executing no fewer than 72 water projects through his Water Must Flow initiative, and facilitating rural roads, among them Ndoro–Ntalakwu (12km), Umudike–Amaoba (6km) and Ndoro–Ibere (5km).
The author further lists the Mbom Ibeku electricity project, erosion control at Amuru Ibere, rural electrification and solar street lights. He also credits Atuma with rehabilitating schools, primary health centres and a community town hall, and with empowerment items such as motorbikes, sewing machines and start-up capital for youths, plus scholarships, bursaries and WAEC fees for indigent students.
On that basis, he argues, stakeholders resolved that Atuma should speak for the district in the next Senate. He concludes that Atuma, the APC’s candidate, is best suited for the job, and calls on the zone to let equity continue to drive its unity and progress.
Charles Ifenkwe
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