Ex-Abia speaker withdraws from Senate contest

A former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and Abia Central Senatorial aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu, has announced his decision to step down from the senatorial contest scheduled to hold on Monday, May 18, in support of Chief Emeka Atuma.

Enweremadu, who is the leader of the Isialangwa North Equity Movement, also declared his support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement was made public during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting of the movement held on Sunday in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State, where political leaders, party faithful, community stakeholders, and youth representatives converged to deliberate on the political future of the area and the state.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by Enweremadu as the leader, Hon. Tony Otuonye as the Director-General, Equity Movement, and Barr. Chinedu Nwoko as secretary, the group expressed confidence in Tinubu’s leadership, stating that his Renewed Hope Agenda under the APC has continued to drive national development, economic reforms, infrastructural growth, and policies aimed at repositioning Nigeria for sustainable progress.

The movement noted that continuity in leadership would further consolidate ongoing reforms and accelerate development across the country, urging Nigerians to support the President’s second-term bid in 2027.

The stakeholders also unanimously adopted Atuma, popularly known as “Kabila,” as the consensus candidate of the movement for the Abia Central Senatorial seat in the forthcoming elections.

According to the group, the decision was anchored on the principles of equity, fairness, and political balance within the senatorial zone, stressing that the remaining four-year tenure for the Abia Central seat should return to Ikwuano Local Government Area.

Enweremadu said, “My decision to step down for Chief Atuma was informed by the existing zoning arrangement and understanding within the zone, which supports the completion of the remaining four-year tenure by a candidate from Ikwuano Local Government Area. Respecting such agreements remains critical to sustaining unity, trust, and harmony in the senatorial zone.

“Honouring the zoning arrangement would also pave the way for other local government areas to legitimately lay claim to the senatorial seat when it becomes their turn. Adherence to political agreements is necessary to avoid marginalisation and ensure peaceful power rotation within the zone.

“Chief Atuma is a seasoned and astute politician with an impressive track record of service, grassroots connection, and quality representation. We are confident in his capacity to effectively represent the people of Abia Central at the National Assembly.”

The group further called on political stakeholders, party members, and the people of Abia Central to rally behind Atuma’s aspiration in the interest of unity, inclusiveness, and sustained development in the zone.