By Tony Icheku
But for its timing and context, Onyebuchi Ememanka’s article titled “APC’s Emeka Atuma and the Effect of Osisioma Ngwa Palm Wine” would have been ignored as the scurrilous attacks of a paid hireling. Ememanka’s departure from evidence and reasoned argument only betrays him as one engaged in a garrulous soliloquy instigated by intoxication from his consumption of his referenced local palm wine brew.
But other reasons could be adduced from Ememanka’s parody of delusion
First, his feeble attempts to discredit Hon. Emeka Atuma, the APC candidate for Abia Central Senatorial district by attempting to deflect attention from his comments based on facts and figures points to an intention by the Alex Otti-led administration in Abia State to make the electioneering campaign one of personal attacks and abuses rather than an issue-based campaign.
Ememanka is a lawyer and sits atop Gov Otti’s propaganda machinery, the Abia State Strategic Communications Bureau and one expected that if he disagrees with Atuma’s account of the roads mentioned, he should have presented relevant records to counter it. And if he believes Atuma lacks a viable legislative agenda, he should have interrogate that agenda.
Ememanka’s conjecture that Atuma was intoxicated, coming from a lawyer can at best be described as rascally irresponsible as the insinuations are merely speculative and not supported by credible evidence.
Did Atuma make an inaccurate claim? Identify it and demonstrate the inaccuracy. If he failed to explain a policy, identify the gap and demand clarification.That is how responsible political criticism contributes to democratic accountability.
Second, one must not envy a man who would do anything possible to prove his loyalty considering his characteristic style of criss-crossing political camps, but his predilection for ad hominem fallacy would only win temporary laurels for him as truth remains constant, thus his regular straw man tricks is not lost on discerning Abians.
Recalling too, that Ememanka was recently appointed Director of Publicity For Labour Party, LP Abia State Campaign Council for the re-election of Governor Alex Otti in 2027, one can only rationalise that our brother is simply playing the role of the young antelope who danced itself lame before the main dance began
Third, Ememanka’s very quick dismissal of Hon Atuma’s candidacy mildly reminds Abians of a delusional comedian fine-tuning the tools of his trade. Deftly dodging fundamental issues regarding Federal funding of projects in Abia raised by Hon Atuma during his campaign stop at Umunkwocha – Umuode, in Osisioma-Ngwa LGA, Ememanka while exhibiting his usual comical streak, inadvertently exposed his intellectual cowardice glaringly. Indeed, Ememanka can only make sense to his masters by avoiding substantive engagement and resorting to personal attacks instead.
Ememanka has never won election to any public political office and at best boasts only of an elementary knowledge of the suitability of a candidate elected by popular votes in a party primary to represent it in a General Election.
Fourth, Atuma unequivocally rides on the popular acclaim of a national ruling party, and since his emergence as APC’s Senatorial flagbearer for Abia Central Senatorial District, he has devoted ample energy and resources towards enlightening Abians on his programme if elected to the Senate comprising the roles he would play as a lawmaker, in representation, oversight, budgetary advocacy and Constituency engagement.
As a former House of Representatives member who represented Ikwuano/Umuahia North & South Federal Constituency from 2023-2027, Atuma’s legislative record plus his role as House Committee Chairman on Environment are yet to be matched. Amongst others, his legislative interventions led to the creation of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
One can safely submit that only an intoxicated imbiber of Mai Ngwo Nde Okpu can carelessly wish away Atuma’s legislative experience, constituency projects, contributions to human-capital development and his wide political network and contact
Fifth, political disagreements are inevitable in a democracy, and robust scrutiny of candidates seeking public office is not only legitimate but necessary. However, when political criticism abandons verifiable facts for personal ridicule, it raises questions about the strength of the critic’s argument and the seriousness of the debate.
Ememanka as Governor Otti’s propaganda chief is expected to disagree with Atuma’s political positions. What is difficult to understand, however, is why an allegation about public infrastructure has been turned into a story about intoxication, traditional marriage ceremonies and the supposed influence of local palm wine.
If Ememanka believes Atuma misrepresented the ownership or funding of particular roads, the responsible course is straightforward: establish the facts, identify the specific statements in dispute, and present documentary evidence to support the contrary position. Sarcasm is not a substitute for political argument.
Six, the Real Issue Is Infrastructure And Accountability
At the centre of the controversy is the allegation by Atuma several ongoing Federal projects are funded by the Federal Government which the administration of Governor Alex Otti has consistently failed to acknowledge
The roads mentioned include Port Harcourt Road, Aba and Aba-Owerri Road in Aba, as well as the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene and Umuahia-Arochukwu roads, these are Federal projects which even if executed by the administration of Gov Otti, the funds will be fully repaid to Abia State government at a future date.
These are important public infrastructure projects, and the people of Abia State deserve clarity about their funding, implementation, contractual arrangements and respective levels of government involvement. Such questions must be settled by facts, not political assumptions.
Accordingly, Ememanka should have relevant project records, approved budgets, contracts, official announcements and implementation documents disproved Atuma’s account. As an experienced Lawmaker, Atuma understands that the people deserve accurate information about who provided what, how it was funded and who should be held accountable for its delivery.
Seventh, only the deaf or one permanently under permanent intoxication from generous overdose of Mai Ngwo Nde Okpu can claim ignorance of Atuma’s position that representation must go beyond occupying a seat in the National Assembly, making speeches or distributing occasional relief materials. Atuma insists that legislative representation must produce measurable benefits for the constituency.
Atuma has consistently emphasised the critical role of a federal legislator in federal budgeting, legislative engagement, constituency development and the ability to attract investments and interventions that address the needs of the people.
His argument about the Appropriation Act is particularly relevant. Contending that the federal budget is one of the principal instruments through which legislators can influence public expenditure, support development priorities and pursue projects for their constituencies within the limits of their constitutional responsibilities.
Atuma advocates for an effective legislative representation with the capacity to engage ministries, departments and agencies, scrutinise budget proposals, advocate for development priorities and monitor the implementation of approved projects.
Armed with legislative experience, institutional knowledge, strategic engagement and accountability, Atuma’s emphasis on measurable federal investment is his song and dance on campaign stops and political conversation.
Abians during this campaign season look forward to a responsible articulation of issues, programmes and action plans from those seeking elective offices…paid hirelings under the influence of any mind bending substance should not lend themselves as comedians willing to dance naked in the marketplace
Resorts to personal abuses may attract attention, but they do not resolve questions about roads, public expenditure or legislative performance. Criticism should be evidence-based, claims should be verifiable, and political disagreements should not be disguised as personal attacks.
The people of Abia Central need facts about public projects, clarity about government responsibilities, credible legislative proposals and candidates prepared to explain how they intend to serve.
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