The Labour Party (LP), in Abia State, has officially flagged off its campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, presenting flags to its candidates contesting various elective positions.
The event, tagged “The New Abia: Forward Ever, Backward Never,” was held at the Umuahia Township Stadium and commenced with an interdenominational church service, during which prayers were offered for the state, Governor Alex Otti and the party’s candidates, while church leaders dropped commendations on the past three years of the Governor’s administration.
In his sermon, the General Overseer of Living Word Ministries, Brother Emma Okorie, said Abia State had witnessed tremendous transformation under Governor Alex Otti.
He described the state as having been in a mess for 24 years before Otti assumed office, adding that the Governor had taken deliberate steps to address the challenges and restore the state’s fortunes.
Okorie commended the Governor for his contributions to the development of Abia, citing the biblical passage that says, “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice”.
He said the people of Abia were now enjoying the dividends of democracy under the present administration.
Also speaking, the Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, who described his presentation as an eyewitness account of a Christian father of faith, reeled out the achievements of the Otti’s led government across various sectors.
On infrastructure, Opoko highlighted the reconstruction and rehabilitation of over 414 roads across the state, including Port Harcourt Road, Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard, Umuimo Road, Old Court Road, Jubilee Road, College Road, Uzuakoli-Abiriba-Ohafia Road and Ohafia-Arochukwu Road.
He also cited the reconstruction of over 10 strategic bridges, including the Omenuko Bridge, as well as, the introduction of an integrated transport system and electric buses.
On healthcare, the cleric listed the renovation and retrofitting of the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba, which he said restored its accreditation after three years, alongside the upgrading of primary healthcare centres across the 17 Local Government Areas.
He further highlighted the introduction of the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme and the ongoing reconstruction and upgrading of general and cottage hospitals.
In the education sector, Opoko said the administration introduced free and compulsory basic education from Primary One to Junior Secondary School Three, recruited 9,469 teachers after about 10 years without recruitment, and reconstructed and retrofitted over 221 public schools.
He also commended the government for stabilizing Abia State University and Abia State Polytechnic, particularly through regular payment of salaries and efforts to end the recurring strike culture.
On workers’ welfare, the Archbishop noted that the government had ensured regular payment of salaries, cleared outstanding pension arrears accumulated over several years and implemented a N70,000 minimum wage.
He also listed the digitization of the civil service, elimination of ghost workers and improved security through the establishment of Operation Crush among the administration’s achievements.
Other areas highlighted included environmental sanitation, erosion control, debt management, increased internally generated revenue, public infrastructure, youth empowerment and social protection.
According to him, the administration inherited over N190 billion in domestic and foreign debts, alongside about N90 billion in salary and pension arrears, but had made significant progress in reducing the inherited liabilities.
He also cited the growth in the state’s internally generated revenue from N16 billion to over N80 billion annually, which he attributed to improved revenue collection and the blocking of financial leakages.
On youth and human capital development, Opoko mentioned the establishment of the Abia SME Bank, interest-free loan schemes, Abia Tech Hub, digital skills training initiatives and the Abia State Leadership Academy.
He further highlighted the administration’s acquisition of two moribund industries from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), with the intention of reviving them to create employment opportunities.
The Archbishop also referenced the construction of the Prof. Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal, the ongoing Aba Bus Terminal project and the provision of 40 electric buses, with plans to expand the fleet.
However, Opoko, declared that Governor Otti had not only fixed roads but had also worked towards fixing the state, which he said had moved from a period of salary and pension arrears, debt and environmental challenges to improved governance and service delivery.
The church service also featured testimonies on the achievements of the Otti’s administration, while songs of thanksgiving were rendered to God.
A special prayer session was subsequently held for the Governor and the state, led by Rev. Prof. Moses Madugba.
Following the interdenominational service, the party proceeded with the formal campaign flag-off, during which Governor Otti presented flags to Labour Party candidates contesting various elective positions in the 2027 general elections and wished them success in their political endeavours.
