William Omuna Declares Bid For Rivers East Senate, Says It Deserves Senator Who Shows Up

RIVERS, PORT HARCOURT – Dr William Omuna, a Port Harcourt-born professional from Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, has formally declared his intention to contest the Rivers East Senatorial District seat, citing failed representation, democratic deficits, and worsening socio-economic conditions across the district.

Speaking in a detailed declaration circulated to stakeholders and community leaders, Omuna said his decision followed years of public frustration, unmet expectations, and what he described as a dangerous culture of political silence after elections.

“I submit myself before you not as someone who claims perfection, but as someone who understands our shared disappointments and long wait for true representation,” Omuna said in a direct address to constituents.

A Declaration Rooted in Discontent

Omuna anchored his senatorial ambition on what he described as persistent governance gaps across Rivers East, including poor infrastructure, youth unemployment, agricultural neglect, and weak legislative advocacy.

For years, he argued, the district has experienced representation that performed actively during campaigns but withdrew from public accountability once electoral victories were secured.

“Our community roads remain broken, our youths unemployed, our farmers and fishermen unsupported, our women unheard, and our communities underrepresented where decisions truly matter,” he stated.

Political analysts in Port Harcourt say such messaging reflects a growing voter fatigue with incumbents, particularly in districts where constituency engagement remains minimal between election cycles.

Dr. Nimi Lawson, a governance analyst, said Omuna’s framing resonates with a wider accountability discourse. “Voters increasingly want measurable impact, not ceremonial representation,” Lawson noted.

Positioning Against Political Complacency

Omuna stressed that his entry into the race was not driven by convenience or political inheritance, but by what he described as the rising cost of silence.

“I did not come into this contest because it is easy. I came because inaction has become too dangerous for our future,” he said.

He drew a sharp distinction between occupying office and performing leadership, arguing that legislative authority must translate into visible community impact.

“Leadership is not about occupying a seat; it is about carrying the burden of the people,” Omuna declared.

Civil society observers say such rhetoric aligns with demands for performance-based politics, especially in legislative positions often perceived as detached from grassroots realities.

Commitments to Presence and Accountability

At the core of Omuna’s declaration were four commitments he described as non-negotiable pillars of his legislative agenda.

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He pledged to remain physically present in the district beyond election seasons, actively engaging constituents throughout his tenure.

He also committed to listening to community experiences, insisting that public policy must reflect lived realities rather than elite assumptions.

“No law or policy is better than the lived experience of the people,” Omuna said.

Further, he vowed to speak boldly for Rivers East at the National Assembly, placing district interests ahead of partisan convenience or personal advancement.

On accountability, Omuna said he would account openly for every mandate received, emphasizing that political power belongs to the people, not office holders.

Restoring Dignity to Representation

Omuna framed his candidacy as a collective project rather than a personal ambition, describing it as an effort to restore dignity to senatorial representation.

“This contest is not about me alone; it is about ensuring our voices are heard, our needs defended, and our future protected,” he said.

He urged constituents to base their trust on shared resolve and measurable commitment, rather than blind loyalty or financial inducements.

Political communication expert Mrs. Ibiwari George observed that Omuna’s language deliberately distances him from transactional politics. “He is clearly positioning against money-driven and godfather-infested campaigns,” she said.

Critique of Legislative Performance

In a direct critique of past representation, Omuna questioned the legislative output and constituency impact of current and previous senators from Rivers East.

“Laws are made to benefit our district, but how many laws have truly impacted our communities?” he asked.

According to him, evidence suggests that the district’s interests have been sidelined, resulting in lost moral authority among current office holders.

He argued that repeating the same electoral choices would perpetuate stagnation, urging voters to embrace political change grounded in competence and vision.

Electoral Reform as a Central Issue

Beyond constituency development, Omuna placed electoral transparency at the center of his political agenda, particularly the issue of real-time electronic transmission of election results.

He described the failure to institutionalize electronic transmission as a major democratic weakness that undermined voter confidence during the 2023 general elections.

“Democracy is not won by complaining about leadership in Abuja, but by holding your specific representative accountable,” Omuna said.

He argued that manual result handling enabled manipulation and human error, citing post-election controversies fueled by alleged server failures.

According to him, real-time transmission remains the most credible pathway to restoring trust ahead of the 2027 elections.

Holding Senators Accountable on E-Transmission

Omuna challenged constituents to scrutinize the positions of their serving senators on electronic transmission of results.

“Find the name of the senator representing your district and demand to know his position,” he urged.

He encouraged voters to engage lawmakers directly through official social media platforms, including Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.

“If banks can secure networks daily, Nigeria can deploy secure technology for one-day elections,” Omuna argued.

Electoral reform advocates have repeatedly called on lawmakers to strengthen legal frameworks supporting electronic transmission, which remains a contentious issue in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Vision for Rivers East Development

Omuna projected Rivers East Senatorial District as a potential development model, not only within Rivers State but nationally.

He linked legislative effectiveness to the district’s ability to attract multinational investments, generate employment, and stimulate economic growth.

“We cannot attract progress by reinvesting in proven failures and neglecting constitutional mandates,” he said.

Development economists note that sustained legislative advocacy often plays a critical role in securing federal projects and investor confidence.

Rejecting Godfather Politics

A recurring theme in Omuna’s declaration was his rejection of godfatherism and money-driven political structures.

“The time for money and godfather-infested politics in Rivers State is over,” he declared.

He advocated for what he described as intellectual politics anchored on voter voices, public reasoning, and transparent legislative priorities.

Such messaging, analysts say, reflects a broader national conversation about political renewal and citizen-centered governance.

Platforms for Public Engagement

To reinforce transparency, Omuna announced dedicated platforms for public engagement and accountability.

He invited constituents to participate in a question-and-answer forum via WhatsApp under the platform “Dr. William Omuna APC Rivers East Senatorial District.”

He also listed his Facebook handle, @williamomuna, as an open channel for policy discussions and public feedback.

According to his campaign team, the platforms aim to institutionalize two-way communication between the candidate and constituents.

Backed by Legislative Advocacy Group

Omuna’s declaration is powered by the Legislative People Oriented Support Initiatives, a group canvassing public support for issue-driven legislative agendas.

The group said it prioritizes citizen participation, policy literacy, and accountability mechanisms within Nigeria’s legislative system.

In a brief statement, the group described Omuna as “a candidate aligned with participatory governance and reform-minded legislation.”

A Call for Courage and Change

Concluding his declaration, Omuna appealed to voters to choose courage over complacency and hope over neglect.

“Let us turn disappointment into direction, frustration into reform, and failed representation into responsible leadership,” he said.

As political alignments begin to form ahead of the senatorial contest, observers say Rivers East may witness an issue-driven campaign centered on representation, reform, and accountability.

Whether Omuna’s message translates into electoral success will depend largely on voter engagement, party dynamics, and the credibility of his reform promises in the months ahead.