The unstoppable march of the African Democratic Congress gathered fresh steam on Saturday, 24th October, 2026, as Senator Austin Akobundu led a wave of excitement across Abia, inaugurating the Atiku/Akobundu Vanguard in Isiala Ngwa South and Umuahia South LGAs to thunderous applause.

The twin inaugurations, held at St. Michael’s Parish Field, Mgbokonta, and later at Apumiri, Umuahia South, build on last weekend’s successful launches in Isiala Ngwa North and Osisioma Ngwa, signaling that the ADC is now the fastest-growing grassroots movement in Abia and the South East.

Addressing impressive numbers of cheering supporters, Senator Akobundu, Director-General of the ADC/Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Council, thanked members for their unshakable loyalty to him and to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential standard-bearer.

“I do not take your sacrifice for granted,” Akobundu declared. “You have chosen competence over propaganda, experience over experiment, and unity over division. Atiku Abubakar is the one leader with the national reach, economic blueprint, and political will to pull Nigeria back from the brink.”

He charged the newly inaugurated Vanguard to mobilize every ward, booth, and family for Atiku, citing the ADC presidential candidate’s proven record of job creation and his bold, people-first agenda characterised by a targeted fuel subsidy restoration to crash transportation and food costs and “make life affordable again for the suffering masses;” full reactivation of the Eastern maritime port corridor to unlock billions in trade, jobs, and industrial growth for the South East and Nigeria; a united Nigeria where tribe and tongue are no barriers to opportunity — a detribalized vision Atiku embodies, as shown in his appointment of Akobundu to lead his national campaign; a clear bridge to Igbo Presidency, with Atiku’s victory widely seen as the most credible and strategic pathway for Ndigbo to produce Nigeria’s president next.

“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigerians are suffocating under hardship, hunger, and insecurity,” Akobundu lamented. “Atiku has a tested plan to reverse this disaster and reset Nigeria on the path of security, peace, progress, and prosperity. With Atiku and ADC, Nigeria will breathe again.”

Senator Akobundu, ADC’s candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, reminded constituents that despite a delayed inauguration into the 10th Senate, he has delivered a good number of people-centered projects than many could have imagined, a proof that ADC representatives deliver. He reeled out his human capital development initiatives and projects to include:

Human Capital Development Initiatives
i. Scholarships awarded to indigent students across Abia Central
ii. Free training for over 400 secondary school students in embedded systems, robotics, and AI
iii. 100 youths trained in farming and tailoring, with sewing machines, starter packs, and cash grants
iv. 360 youths trained in UI/UX Design, Web Design, Graphics Design, Cybersecurity, Digital Marketing, Forex Trading, Software Development, and Data Science
v. 400 youths trained in cosmetics production and paint making, with cash awards
vi. 2-day capacity building on peace and conflict management for traditional rulers and community leaders
vii. ₦200,000 grants each to 114 Abia Central students in tertiary institutions nationwide
viii. 3-year fully-paid ₦21m scholarship for 113 constituents at National Teachers Institute
ix. Facilitated federal jobs for several qualified constituents

Infrastructure and Community Projects
x. Isiala Ngwa South: Solar streetlights installed at Eke Onyeugba Market, Nkwo Ebe Market, Nkwo Udara market, and Ahia Ugba, Umuvo
xi. Umuahia South: Solar streetlights at Apumiri Market, Ahiaukwu Market, Afor Ibeji Market, and Eke Udi Market

xii. Isiala Ngwa South – Contracts Awarded, Awaiting Mobilization:
a. Construction/furnishing of Skills Acquisition Centre
b. Renovation of classroom blocks at Ehi Na Ugwu, Ebeyi Nvosi, and Anya Mbutu Community Schools

xiii. Umuahia South – Contracts Awarded, Awaiting Mobilization:
a. Construction/furnishing of Skills Acquisition Centre
b. Solar boreholes at Umuihe and Umuizamikpa Communities
c. Primary Health Care Centre at Ehume Omaegwu
d. Perimeter fencing of Government College, Umuahia
e. Erosion control at Amibo-Nsukwe, Ubakala
f. Transformer for Umuchime Community, Umuopara

“Imagine what I’ll do with a full tenure under an Atiku presidency,” Akobundu assured. “ADC is the party of action, not excuses.”

Earlier, Akobundu met Isiala Ngwa South stakeholders at the home of ADC LGA Chairman, Hon. Jerome Okosisi, where leaders praised him for “further endearing Atiku to our hearts” after his passionate breakdown of Atiku’s recovery plan. They vowed to deliver Atiku and all ADC candidates to rescue Nigeria and “allow Akobundu continue his good works.”

In Umuahia South, the senator’s delegation paid homage to the LGA Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRM Eze Boniface Chidi Onyemachi. Presenting his scorecard, Akobundu urged the royal fathers to partner with his campaign on his empowerment programmes and project execution. The monarchs hailed his “impressive achievements within a short time,” prayed for him, pronounced royal blessings on him, after which they urged him to engage with them more regularly.

Akobundu was accompanied by a powerful team of ADC leaders and candidates, showing the party’s unity and depth: Elder Sam Njoku, DG of his campaign; Hon. Suleiman Ukandu, Deputy DG; Hon. Emeka Ejiogu; Hon. Stanley Nwabuisi; Hon. Stephen Mpamugo; Pastor Ekeleme Ikeije; Comrade Paul Nwagbala, ADC Assistant National Youth Leader; Engr. Osinachi Anosike Osuwa, ADC candidate for Isiala Ngwa North/South Federal Constituency; Hon. Emeka Bahadur, ADC candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency; Hon. Chibuzor Ejim, ADC candidate for Umuahia South State Constituency; Super High Chief Mrs. Nwosu; Hon. Akudo Ibe; Elder Henry Nwoha; Hon. Dan Onwutuebe; Hon. G.C. Nwaoha; Hon. Nnabueze Ikenna Anaba (Piper); Chief Ugonna Orji (Aji Nti); Evang. Theo Ohuaba; Chief Jude Chijioke Ndukwe; Chief Barr. Obinna Nwogu; Hon. Chinedu Okezie, ADC candidate for Umuahia Central State Constituency, Mr GodsLight Mbakwe, and many others.

With the Atiku/Akobundu Vanguard now rooted in four LGAs and spreading fast, the ADC has become the new home for Abians tired of hardship and hungry for results. As 2027 approaches, the momentum is unmistakable: from Isiala Ngwa and Osisioma to Umuahia; Ikwuano and others to follow soon, the people are aligning with Atiku Abubakar for President, Austin Akobundu for Senate, and ADC candidates across board.