Hon Emeka Atuma 


By Chidinma Omar 

In the  high-stakes arena of Abia Central Senatorial politics, the 2027 senatorial race has taken a familiar, if tiresome, detour into the archives. While the electorate clamours for modern solutions to ancient problems, pretenders to the seat appears determined to litigate the past rather than debate the future.

At the centre of this skirmish is Rt Hon Emeka Atuma, whose campaign organisation has been forced to swat away fictitious postulations  regarding a legal battle that was settled, signed, and delivered sixteen years ago.

The ‘Annexation’ Myth

A narrative currently circulating on social media—penned with more imagination than intellect—accuses Rt Hon Atuma of a "bid to annex" Osisioma Ngwa LG. The claim suggests a conspiracy to disenfranchise the Umunneato Ngwa bloc. It is an empty, if delusional, charge that relies on the hope that voters have forgotten the history of 2011.

For those in need of a refresher: the Supreme Court long ago drew the map. In the matter of the 2011 Senatorial election, Justice Afolabi Fabiyi famously invoked the "sixth sense" of judicial discretion to rule that Osisioma Ngwa belongs firmly within Abia Central. Rt Hon Atuma, in a display of sportsmanship increasingly rare in the Nigerian political climate, accepted that verdict. He moved on; his opponents, it seems, have not.

Show Your Workings

Rt Hon  Atuma's Campaign Organisation though dismissive of the ill conceived comment,  nonetheless frown at the regurgitation of the issue as the product of a confused persona  and a sign of unseriousness in an otherwise serious business.

Rt Hon Atuma has no reason to raise questions over the bonding and brotherliness of the Umunneato Ngwa bonds. His support base in Umunneato Ngwa is grassrooted and certain 

Indeed  It is mind-boggling that any sensible person would insinuate he possesses the amazing powers to annex an entire Local Government Area.

The advice to other aspirants from the Atuma Campaign headquarters is clear: 'Focus on Issues'; Show Workings from previous assignments. Aspirants should stop drafting fables and start proposing "valuable propositions."

The Verdict

The attempt to weaponise the 2011 Supreme Court ruling is a classic political faux pas. By digging up a settled constitutional dispute, this particular aspirant has inadvertently highlighted their own lack of a 2027 manifesto.

"Rt Hon Atuma is positioning himself as the pragmatic leader, leaning on his "cognate legislative experience" to bridge the gap of current inadequate representation of Abia Central. If his rivals wish to unseat the man currently enjoying a groundswell of support in Abia Central, they will need more than a history book and a social media account.

"As the campaign enters its next phase, the message from the Atuma camp to the "delusional" agitators is simple: Address the issues, or exit the race. In the court of public opinion, "I don’t know" is no longer an acceptable answer, and "he said, she said" is no longer a platform".