Members of the Frontline Container Unloaders Union in Aba, comprising 15 affiliated unions, on Thursday staged a massive solidarity rally in support of the re-election bid of Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The rally saw hundreds of union members and traders march through key parts of Aba, including Ngwa Road, Port Harcourt Road, Aba Road, Ekeoha Shopping Centre and the Aba South Local Government Secretariat, before culminating at the Aba North Local Government Headquarters.
The procession attracted residents who lined the streets to witness the show of support for the Governor, while executives of the Market Leaders Union used the occasion to highlight infrastructure renewal, improved road networks and enhanced commercial activities in the city as key reasons for their endorsement.
Speaking during the event, President of Frontline Container Unloaders Union, Aba, Mr Ifeanyi Nwaeboh, said the rally was organised to demonstrate the Union’s support for the governor and appreciation for his administration’s transformational projects across the city.
“We decided to organise this rally to show the world that our Union is 100 per cent with the governor and would deploy all relevant resources to support his re-election bid in 2027″, he said.
Nwaeboh recalled the previous challenges faced by operators transporting goods into Aba markets.
He added that the rehabilitation of roads around major commercial hubs had significantly improved access and reduced operational difficulties.
“We used to experience untold hardship because vehicles carrying goods got stuck and we had to transfer the goods to another vehicle which was very stressful.
“For so many years that spot at Ariaria Junction was not motorable, but the governor has rehabilitated it, including the Azikiwe Road by Asa, Ehi Road, Ama Ogbonna and other places.
“This has made life easy for us as unloaders and made the markets accessible for vehicles carrying containers”, he said.
Nwaeboh also disclosed that members of the Union had secured their PVCs in preparation for future elections.
“We are ready and prepared to actively show our solidarity to the present administration”, he stated.
Nwaebo, further commended the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ukoha Njoku Ukoha or what his support for the Union and its members.
Similarly, the Chairman, New Life Container Union and Secretary-General of Frontliners Container Unloaders Union, Comrade Francis Azubike, said the rally represented an unprecedented show of unity among Container Unions in the state.
Azubike said that the historic mega rally was organised to demonstrate their solidarity with the government and to acknowledge its developmental strides across the state.
He particularly commended ongoing infrastructure renewal and transportation initiatives by the present administration, noting that the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Road marked a significant turning point for economic activities in Aba.
“For 24 years, Port Harcourt Road remained unmotorable. People suffered and abandoned their businesses and properties, but Dr Alex Otti came within a space of two years and rehabilitated Port Harcourt Road”, he added.
In his contribution, the Chairman, Ngwa Road Market, Mr Munachimso Ejim, said traders had witnessed massive improvements in the business environment under the current administration.
He said that the traders’ community have formally endorsed Governor Otti for a second term in 2027, adding that the endorsement reflects the unanimous position of entire traders in the Ngwa road market.
Ejim attributed increased commercial activities within the market to road rehabilitation projects undertaken by the state government.
He further noted that internal roads within the market had been rehabilitated while solar-powered street lights had also been installed.
“When you go inside, the internal roads in the market have been fixed and there are solar street lights installed everywhere. That is the standard of the state government.
“We have good roads today that make it easy for us to conduct our business in a conducive environment.
“Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road and Ngwa Road have been fixed and we are enjoying the dividend of democracy”, he added.
Ejim also disclosed that arrangements had been made to ensure traders obtained their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Mr Emeka Okeke, said the state had undergone remarkable transformation under the Otti led administration in the past three years.
“In the past people used to see Abia as a backward state but the story is different today with Dr Alex Otti as the governor of the state.
“Today, we have adequate security and enhanced infrastructural development in the state”, Okeke stated.
According to him, several internal roads around the market, including Ehi Road, Kent Road and Old Court Road, had been rehabilitated thereby improving access and creating a more conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
Okeke, said ongoing remodelling works at Ekeoha Shopping Centre would reposition the market to meet international standard.
He also urged residents to actively take part in the ongoing voter registration exercise, stressing the importance of ensuring that eligible citizens are duly registered and prepared to exercise their civic rights in the coming elections.
“We have INEC officials in the market registering traders to get their PVCs and we urge residents of Aba to come to our market and get registered”, he added.
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area, Mr Obialor Anyanwu, urged traders to sustain grassroots mobilisation and actively participate in the voter registration process.
He noted that such civic engagement would be crucial in securing the re-election of Governor Otti in the 2027 general elections.
“What you’ve done today is to also tell the people to go and get their PVCs.
“Election is not won on social media. There are no polling units on Facebook, WhatsApp or Twitter.
“The New Abia vision cannot go back. It is with our voters’ cards and support of people like you that we can sustain the momentum of the new vision of Abia”, he said.
The rally featured the formal presentation of a support document for Governor Alex Otti by members of the Frontline Container Unloaders Union in Aba, and was received on behalf of the Governor by the Chairman, Aba South Local Government Area, Mr Obialor Anyanwu.
