The leadership of the Labour Party in Abia State on Thursday, converged at Amaoji-Ukwu, hometown of Mr Charles Ugochukwu Nwosu in Obingwa Local Government Area, as he formally declared his intention to contest for the Obingwa West State Constituency seat in the Abia State House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The declaration attracted prominent political stakeholders, party faithful, traditional rulers and various support groups from across Obingwa and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party, Chief Peter Chigozie Azubuike, popularly known as “The Rock”, said equity, justice and fair play would guide the party in selecting its candidates.
Azubuike commended the aspirants from Obingwa for the unity and maturity displayed among them and urged whoever eventually secures the party’s ticket to work with others to ensure victory for the party.
He described Nwosu’s declaration as timely and strategic, adding that his speech reflected clarity of vision and readiness for leadership.
The party chairman further stressed the importance of internal cohesion, noting that victory after the primaries would belong to the entire party irrespective of who emerges.
According to him, no fewer than 24 aspirants had, within one week, indicated interest in contesting State House of Assembly seats under the Labour Party across the state.
Also speaking, the Mayor of Obingwa Local Government Area, Chief Maxwell Nwadike, and the Obingwa Labour Party Chairman, Mr Tony Ngwakwe, praised the spirit of togetherness among the aspirants, describing them as qualified individuals capable of representing the constituency effectively.
They noted that the eventual choice of candidate would be based on agreed conditions and party considerations.
In their separate remarks, the State Coordinator of Abia Arise, Mazi Nkem Okoro, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs, Mr Ebere Uzoukwa, reminded party members that legislative leadership demands value, competence and capacity.
They urged aspirants to support whoever eventually emerges as the party’s candidate in the interest of unity and continuity.
In his speech earlier, the aspirant, Mr Charles Ugochukwu Nwosu of Abayi Ward 2, Obingwa West Constituency, expressed appreciation for the overwhelming turnout of supporters saying it reflected the confidence and acceptance he enjoys across political structures in the state.
Mr Nwosu disclosed that the people of Ahiaba na Abayi chose him as a vibrant and visionary youth to correct the 27 years of marginalization their Bloc has suffered despite their voting strength and appealed to the leadership of Labour Party to consider him based on equity, justice and fair play.
The aspirant further defended the principle of rotational leadership, describing it as a stabilising factor capable of sustaining peace and political balance within the constituency.
Mr Nwosu, a graduate of Architecture, urged constituents to critically assess past and present leadership and evaluate the performance of current office holders, adding that the 2027 elections should be driven by informed choices and accountability.
He also advocated generational change in the area’s politics, declaring that it was now “Youth O’clock” in Obingwa politics and promised effective representation, sustainable empowerment for youths and women if elected.
Nwosu expressed confidence that the Labour Party would record a landslide victory in Obingwa in the next election cycle, stating that the party would score “100 over 100” in the area.
He attributed the party’s growing popularity to the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, noting that the governor’s achievements, particularly in road construction and other critical sectors, had made governance easier for elected officials.
Nwosu pledged loyalty to the governor and the Labour Party, insisting that his ambition was driven by service rather than personal interest.
“Regardless of who emerges as the party’s candidate, I will mobilise fully to ensure not only the victory of the candidate but also a resounding re-election for the Governor,” he said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Budget and Planning, Dr Eric Egwuibe, traditional rulers and members of various pro-Labour groups were present during the event.
