A former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and Abia Central senatorial aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Rt. Hon. Christopher Enweremadu, has withdrawn from the senatorial contest scheduled for Monday, May 18, in favour of Chief Emeka Atuma.

Enweremadu, who also leads the Isialangwa North Equity Movement, made the announcement during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held on Sunday in Isialangwa North Local Government Area of Abia State.

He also declared his support for the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, describing the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda as a driver of national development, economic reform, and infrastructure growth.

The endorsement was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and jointly signed by Enweremadu as leader, Hon. Tony Otuonye as Director-General of the Equity Movement, and Barr. Chinedu Nwoko as secretary.

The group said continuity in leadership at the federal level would help consolidate ongoing reforms and strengthen development across the country, urging Nigerians to support the President’s second-term bid.

The stakeholders also unanimously adopted Chief Emeka Atuma, popularly known as “Kabila,” as the consensus candidate for the Abia Central senatorial seat, citing principles of equity, fairness, and zoning arrangement within the senatorial district.

According to the group, the decision aligns with an existing understanding that the remaining four-year tenure for the Abia Central Senate seat should be completed by a candidate from Ikwuano Local Government Area.

Enweremadu said his decision to step down was based on respect for the zoning arrangement and the need to preserve unity and political balance in the zone.

“My decision to step down for Chief Atuma was informed by the existing zoning arrangement and understanding within the zone… Respecting such agreements remains critical to sustaining unity, trust, and harmony,” he said.

He added that honouring political agreements would also ensure fairness and allow other local government areas to benefit from future political arrangements.

Enweremadu described Atuma as a seasoned politician with strong grassroots support and the capacity to deliver effective representation at the National Assembly.

The group further urged political stakeholders and residents of Abia Central to support Atuma’s candidacy in the interest of unity and sustained development in the zone.