Over 1,000 members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State have defected to the Labour Party, citing the people-oriented and infrastructure-driven administration of Governor Alex Otti as their reason.
The defectors which include over 91 key political stakeholders with large followership, were formally received into the Labour Party during a civic reception held in honour of Governor Otti at the Township School, Akwete, Ukwa East LGA, on Thursday.
The event also witnessed the endorsement of Governor Otti as sole candidate for future political aspirations by stakeholders in Ukwa East, led by former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara.
Welcoming the new members on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee, the Governor assured them of equal opportunities, pointing out that the Labour Party was big enough to accommodate everyone committed to the progress of Abia.
He expressed his administration’s readiness to expedite action in facilitating the completion of key projects aimed at boosting economic activities and accelerating development in the oil-producing area.
On power supply, Otti assured residents that electricity would be restored to Ukwa East before the end of March.
He directed the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities to immediately address outstanding technical issues, noting that the area might only require transformers and smart meters to reconnect to the grid.
In the Healthcare Sector, the Governor announced that 11 primary healthcare centres in Ukwa East had undergone renovation and upgrading while four are currently operational with five are expected to become functional within 30 days, and the remaining two within 45 days.
He noted that the facilities were being adequately staffed and equipped to guarantee efficient healthcare delivery.
Governor Otti pointed out that the newly flagged-off General Hospital project in Ohanku marks the beginning of comprehensive secondary healthcare reform in the area.
Addressing infrastructure concerns, the Governor disclosed that he had instructed the Commissioner for Works to assess and finalise plans for the completion and extension of the remaining stretch of the Ohanku Road into Ukwa East.
He also spoke on the ongoing Obohia–Ndoki Road project, explaining that it involves the construction of drainage tunnels to channel floodwaters into the Aba River.
Despite the financial implications, Governor Otti assured residents that the projects would be completed in line with their requests, stressing that road connectivity remained central to his administration’s economic blueprint.
On the issue of boundary disputes, Governor Otti said he has held discussions with his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Pastor Umo Eno, aimed at fostering lasting peace in the affected border communities.
He noted that both administrations had agreed to continuous engagement, adding that their deputies had already met to ease tensions and stabilise the area.
In the Agricultural Sector, Governor Otti announced that the Abia State Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an international firm specialising in palm production and processing to revitalise the Abia Palm plantation.
He said the company would soon commence operations, a move expected to boost employment and agro-industrial activities.
On Education, Governor Otti disclosed that the State recruited 5,394 teachers in 2025 and was in the process of employing an additional 4,000 and added that the recruitment process, which attracted about 36,000 applications, would remain merit-driven.
The Governor who stressed that successful candidates must be willing to accept postings to any part of the State, with hardship allowances provided where necessary, also ordered immediate temporary repairs of deteriorating school buildings observed at the event venue, pending full rehabilitation.
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, the lawmaker representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon. Lewis Obianyi, said the number of defectors exceeded 1,000, noting that the 91 earlier announced were leaders with large followings.
Hon Obianyi said the decision to join the Labour Party was informed by the level of development witnessed in Abia State under Otti’s leadership.
He described Governor Otti as performance-driven, noting that his achievements has positioned the State as a reference point nationally.
The lawmaker commended the Governor for flagging off the General Hospital project in Ohanku and for ongoing road and power projects in the area, assuring him of sustained support from the people.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, lauded Governor Otti for what he described as purposeful leadership anchored on infrastructure renewal and people-oriented policies.
Senator Adolphus Wabara commended the Governor’s “bold, compassionate and people-centred leadership,” stating that the foundation laying ceremony for the Ukwa East General Hospital affirms the State Government’s commitment to governance anchored on human dignity and social equity.
Sen Wabara disclosed that the people of the area had for decades, yearned for improved access to quality healthcare while families endured avoidable pain and losses due to long distances to medical facilities.
” Today, that narrative is changing”,” Wabara said.
He however, urged the State Government to accelerate work on the Aba-Ohanku Road and Aba-Obuohia projects, as well as to expedite repairs on the Ohambele-Obeaku Road leading to the proposed Abia Seaport, noting that timely completion would stimulate commerce, reduce travel time and attract investment.
The Chairman of Ukwa East LGA, Mr Chibunna Akara, in his remarks, listed ongoing projects in the area to include the General Hospital, a Magistrate Court nearing completion, two Smart Schools, 11 retrofitted Primary Healthcare Centres, Digital skills training for 80 youths, Educational Support for 300 students, construction of access roads, installation of 10 solar-powered boreholes across political wards and the development of four evening markets.
Other dignitaries at the event, including former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Chinedu Brown, former lawmaker Chief Uzoma Abonta and former Nigeria’s Consul-General to South Africa, Chief Okey Emuchay, expressed support for the Otti led-administration, describing the Governor’s interventions as transformative and inclusive.
Earlier, the Traditional Ruler of Obeaku Autonomous Community in Ukwa East, Eze Ikeagwuchi Ekeke, appealed to Governor Otti to urgently address the persistent power outage in the area, noting that the perennial electricity disruption had crippled businesses, healthcare services and slowed development in Ukwa East, urging the State Government to restore stable supply.
He also alleged land encroachment by neighbouring communities in Akwa Ibom State and urged the Governor to safeguard Ukwa East’s territorial integrity and ensure lasting peace.
