Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.)
● Currently in Office📅 Tenure in Office
Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.) has been serving as senator for abia central of Abia State since November 15, 2023, under the PDP Party.
👤 About Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.)
Colonel Austin Akobundu (rtd.) is a retired officer of the Nigerian Army who served as Minister of State for Defence under President Goodluck Jonathan. He contested the Abia Central senatorial seat in the 2023 general elections on the platform of the PDP, initially finishing second to Labour Party candidate Darlington Nwokocha.
Following a Court of Appeal ruling on 4 November 2023 that nullified Nwokocha's election, Akobundu was declared the winner and sworn in as Senator for Abia Central on 15 November 2023.
Since taking his seat, Akobundu has focused on education initiatives in Abia State, facilitating scholarships for 113 students across the state's local government areas and organising computer-skills training for 400 students in Umuahia.
📋 Personal Information
| Full name | Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.) |
| Title / Role | Senator for Abia Central |
| State | Abia State |
| Party | PDP |
| In office since | November 15, 2023 |
| Geopolitical zone | SE |
🏆 Key Achievements
Senator for Abia Central since 15 November 2023, after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of Darlington Nwokocha (Labour Party) on 4 November 2023. Retired Colonel, Nigerian Army. Former Minister of State for Defence under President Goodluck Jonathan. Has facilitated scholarships for 113 students across Abia LGAs and computer-skills training for 400 students in Umuahia.
🏛 Role & Responsibilities
Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.) represents Abia Central in the Nigerian Senate — the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Nigeria's Senate has 109 members: three senators per state and one for the FCT Abuja. Senators serve four-year terms, make federal laws, approve the national budget, screen ministerial nominees and oversee the executive branch.
Sen. Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd.) is a member of the PDP.
📜 Former Senators of Abia State
Others who have held the position of senator in Abia State: