The Aba North Chapter of the Abia Arise Movement on Monday staged a mega rally in Aba, the commercial hub of the State, to reaffirm their support for Governor Alex Otti’s re-election ahead of the 2027 governorship polls.
The rally attracted thousands of party faithfuls who marched through major streets in Aba with banners, singing solidarity songs in support of Governor Otti’s administration, before converging at Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, where leaders addressed the gathering.
Speaking at the event, the State Chairman of Abia Arise Movement, Mazi Nkem Okoro, commended the organisers for the successful rally and said Governor Otti’s performance over the past three years has earned him the support of the people for a second term to consolidate his administration’s developmental strides.
Mazi Nkem Okoro
Mazi Okoro cited the Otti administration’s road infrastructure and other development projects as evidence of effective governance and urged Labour party faithfuls to remain united in sustaining the present administration’s achievements.
The State coordinator, described the Abia Arise movement as the recognised grassroots mobilisation structure of the Labour Party in Abia State, stressing that the movement complements the party’s activities and strengthens its grassroots presence.
He therefore urged all Labour Party candidates to collapse their individual political structures into Abia Arise to promote unity and ensure electoral success, adding that the movement’s priority is to mobilise support for all party candidates.
Hon Stephen Ucheonye
In their separate remarks, the member representing Aba North constituency, Hon Stephen Ucheonye, the Mayor of Aba North LGA, Mr Timothy Iheke Kalu, his Aba South counterpart, Hon Obialor Anyanwu, reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of Abia Arise and their resolve to sustain grassroots mobilisation in support of Governor Otti’s reelection, citing his administration’s remarkable achievements in infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and economic development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Aba North Coordinator of Abia Arise, Amb. Kenneth Emelike, said the rally was organised to demonstrate the people’s appreciation for Governor Otti’s purposeful leadership and to affirm their commitment to supporting the Governor’s re-election in 2027.
According to Emelike, Governor Otti’s developmental strides have transformed the state’s commercial hub and restored public confidence in governance adding that the commercial hub of Aba has witnessed significant improvements under the present administration through road reconstruction, improved public services and policies aimed at enhancing the welfare of residents.
“We are gathered here under a simple yet unshakable truth: that the good work which our zealous Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, has commenced in our land must continue uninterrupted.
“We gather under the banner of Abia Arise not just to make noise, but to celebrate a radical departure from the dark past into an era of tangible infrastructural renewal. We are here to celebrate a Governor who has done so much for the state”, Emelike said.
He stressed that the groups campaign theme, “The Governor’s 2027 Return Is Sacrosanct,”reflects the collective conviction of residents who believe that Governor Otti has delivered impactful governance within a short period in office, noting that the ongoing rehabilitation of roads, improved electricity supply in parts of the state, regular payment of workers’ salaries among others, were clear evidence of the present administration’s purposeful leadership and development-driven agenda.
“This rally is a testament that when a government works for the people, the people rise in unison to protect and sustain that vision”, Emelike said.
He urged members of Abia Arise across the 12 wards in Aba North to intensify grassroots mobilisation and sustain support for the Governor’s development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Also speaking, chairmen of the various Abia Arise wards in Aba North LGA including, Mr. Ukonu Okorie (Ward 1), Mr Marcel Mbama (Ward 3), Mr Chinedu Nnadi (Ward 11) Mr Nwokoma Chukwudi (Ward 12), and the chairman, Ogbonnays Onu polytechnic chapter of the Abia Arise, Mr Fijoh Kalu, unanimously declared support for Governor Otti’s second-term bid, maintaining that his administration has delivered tangible dividends of democracy across the state.
They listed several achievements of the Otti led administration, including the reconstruction of major roads in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state, urban renewal projects, the rehabilitation of schools and healthcare facilities, the establishment of Smart Schools, the Light Up Abia initiative, Operation Crush, ongoing development of the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, youth empowerment programmes, agricultural support schemes, public finance reforms, environmental sanitation initiatives and investments aimed at attracting local and foreign investors.
Mr Timothy Iheke Kalu
The ward leaders pledged to mobilise support across their respective communities to ensure the Governor secures another mandate in 2027, noting that continuity would enable his administration to consolidate on its development programmes.
