Ariaria International Market traders in Aba, have endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office, declaring that there would be “no vacancy” in Government House Umuahia, in 2027.
The traders, who shut down activities at the market on Wednesday, mobilised in their numbers for what they described as a one-million-man march to demonstrate their support for the governor and other Labour Party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during the solidarity rally, Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Chief Polycarp Muojiuba, said traders and residents of Aba were pleased with what the governor’s developmental strides across the state.
Muojiuba said the rally was aimed at demonstrating solidarity with Otti and assuring him of the traders’ support in the 2027 election.
He said traders from different local government areas who do business at the market had come together to express their support for the governor, promising to vote for him and other Labour Party candidates contesting the 2027 elections.
“Today all the community in Ariaria and Aba are very happy with His Excellency and what is happening today is to show solidarity in support for all his good works. We areassuring that 2027 is no-go area.
“All of us from across various LGAs trading in Ariaria have come out today to express our love and assure him of our support. We are going to vote him 100 per cent, 2027 is sacrosanct for His Excellency”, Muojiuba said.
Muojiuba said the traders were particularly encouraged by developments in road infrastructure, healthcare and other sectors of the state’s economy,
He noted that the mobilisation was intended to demonstrate their appreciation for the governor’s administration.
“We are carrying out one million man match to show that we are really happy with His Excellency for his good works in Aba in particular and Abia in general considering road infrastructure and other aspects of the state economy including the Health sector.
“Traders in Ariaria International Market have endorsed His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti and only His Excellency and other Labor Party Candidates from the beginning to the end will have our votes”, he said.
According to him, the decision to shut down the market was part of the traders’ effort to demonstrate the strength of their support.
Muojiuba said the traders registered as many as 7,000 new voters during the INEC voter registration exercise, stressing that protecting their votes would be just as important as casting them on election day.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Sir Ufere Inyama, said the mobilisation was to assure the governor that the traders had no alternative candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
According to him, the traders were using the occasion to make a clear statement of their political preference ahead of the 2027 general election.
While noting that the traders have no substitute for Governor Otti, Iyama declared that “there’s no vacancy in Government House come 2027”.
Contributing, the Chief Security Officer of the market and Vice Chairman of the Labour Party in Aba North, Comrade Chidiebere Onyeukwu, said the traders were assured that the traders will vote massively for the Governor and all Labour Party candidates in the coming election.
