The All Progressives Congress (APC), Senatorial candidate for Abia Central District in the 2027 general elections, Rep. Emeka Atuma, has continued his ward-to-ward campaign tour of Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, welcoming defectors from opposition parties.
The campaign train visited several wards and communities, including Osuwa, Osokwa, Umunneise and Nkwogu, where Atuma engaged party stakeholders, traditional rulers, women, youths and other residents on his senatorial ambition.
At Osuwa Ward 6, Atuma paid a courtesy visit to Chief K. O. Mgbeahuru, a former elected chairman of Osisioma Ngwa LGA, who expressed support for his candidacy. Atuma thanked him for the gesture and urged members of his campaign team to cultivate enduring relationships that transcend political affiliations.
Addressing supporters at Ekeobasi Square, Osuwa, the APC candidate called on the electorate to support the party’s candidates at all levels, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Governorship candidate, and its candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
Atuma, who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007, described effective representation and infrastructure development as critical to improving the living conditions of the people.
He urged residents to assess political candidates based on their records, capacity and commitment to service, promising to pursue development projects, including road infrastructure, employment opportunities, scholarships, empowerment programmes and improved electricity supply if elected.
Atuma also assured the people that he would work with other elected representatives to attract federal projects and advance the interests of Abia Central at the National Assembly.
The campaign train subsequently visited Okpuala-Umugwo Ward 9, where Atuma was received by traditional rulers, alongside party stakeholders and supporters.
The traditional rulers expressed support for his senatorial ambition, while Atuma highlighted his legislative experience and record in human capital development as the foundation for his proposed representation at the Senate.
He also pledged to pursue road projects that would improve connectivity between the communities and neighbouring Rivers State, stressing the importance of infrastructure in promoting economic activities and rural development.
At Umunneise Ward 9, the APC candidate and his entourage were received by community members and traditional institution representatives. Other APC candidates who addressed the gathering included Hon. Iheyinna Mgbeahuru, the party’s candidate for Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency; Hon. Barr. Ogumka Iheanacho, candidate for Osisioma Ngwa South State Constituency and Hon. Udo Alozie, candidate for Osisioma Ngwa/Ugwunagbo/Obingwa Federal Constituency.
The candidates urged residents to support the APC in the forthcoming elections, expressing confidence that the party would deliver effective representation and improved governance if elected.
Atuma reiterated his commitment to people-oriented development, urging the electorate to support candidates who would prioritise infrastructure, economic opportunities and the welfare of the people.
The campaign train later moved to Nkwogu Ward 17, the home community of Hon. Iheyinna Mgbeahuru, where Atuma was welcomed by party faithful, community stakeholders and supporters.
A major highlight of the engagement was the defection of opposition party members to the APC. In one account of the campaign activities, more than 40 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) joined the APC, while more than 70 members of the Labour Party and African Democratic Party (ADC), defected in a separate ward.
Atuma welcomed the defectors and expressed appreciation for their decision to join the APC, urging them to work with the party to secure victory in the 2027 elections.
The campaign also featured cultural displays and symbolic presentations by women and community supporters. In Nkwogu, the women, led by the Osisioma Ngwa LGA Woman Leader, Hon. Mrs. Mary Chimezie, presented Atuma with an Avor, a cultural symbol associated with the dignity of women in the community.
In another ward, supporters presented him with a cutlass, symbolizing their determination to clear obstacles to his electoral victory.
The women also expressed solidarity with the APC candidate through songs and cultural displays, while community stakeholders reaffirmed their support for his ambition.
Atuma urged the people to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government, describing the party’s broom symbol as a representation of its determination to sweep away poor representation and promote development.
He assured the electorate that he would not disappoint them if elected, calling for sustained grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The campaign tour was attended by several APC leaders and campaign officials, including Hon. Udo Alozie, Hon. Iheyinna Mgbeahuru, Hon. Barr. Ogumka Iheanacho, Hon. Chidi Nwosu, Hon. Chuks Oriaku, Prince Enyinnaya Ubani, Chief Mrs. Nneoma Nwaigwe, Hon. Amarachukwu Nwafor and other party stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the ward-to-ward campaign forms part of Atuma’s grassroots engagement strategy as he seeks to consolidate support across Abia Central Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.
