Thousands of enthusiastic supporters of the Abia Arise Movement from Aba North Local Government Area on Monday, August 3, 2026, took over the streets of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, in a colourful mega rally to reaffirm their unwavering support for the re-election of Governor Alex Otti ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The rally, which drew an impressive turnout of party faithfuls, grassroots mobilisers, community leaders, women, youths and supporters from across the 12 wards of Aba North, witnessed a massive procession through major streets of the city. Participants marched with banners and placards while singing solidarity songs in celebration of Governor Otti’s administration before converging at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, where leaders of the movement addressed the gathering.
Addressing the rally, the State Chairman of the Abia Arise Movement, Mazi Nkem Okoro, applauded the organisers for successfully mobilising thousands of supporters in what he described as a clear demonstration of the confidence the people have in Governor Alex Otti’s leadership.
He stated that the Governor’s outstanding performance over the past three years has earned him overwhelming public support for a second term, stressing that continuity would enable the administration to consolidate on its ongoing developmental achievements.
Mazi Okoro pointed to the Otti administration’s massive investments in road infrastructure and other critical development projects as evidence of purposeful and effective governance. He urged Labour Party faithfuls across the state to remain united in sustaining the achievements already recorded under the present administration.
The State Coordinator of the movement described Abia Arise as the recognised grassroots mobilisation structure of the Labour Party in Abia State, explaining that the movement complements the party’s activities while strengthening its grassroots presence across the state.
He therefore called on all Labour Party candidates to collapse their individual political structures into Abia Arise in the interest of unity, stronger grassroots mobilisation and electoral victory, maintaining that the movement remains committed to mobilising support for all candidates of the party.
In their separate goodwill messages, the member representing Aba North State Constituency, Hon. Stephen Ucheonye, the Mayor of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, and the Mayor of Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Obialor Anyanwu, reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals and vision of the Abia Arise Movement.
They pledged to sustain grassroots mobilisation in support of Governor Otti’s re-election, noting that his administration has recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure, security, healthcare, education and economic development, which have transformed the fortunes of Abia State.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Aba North Coordinator of Abia Arise, Amb. Kenneth Emelike, said the rally was organised to express the appreciation of the people for Governor Otti’s purposeful leadership and to publicly affirm their commitment to supporting his re-election bid in 2027.
According to Emelike, Governor Otti’s developmental strides have transformed Aba, restored public confidence in governance and significantly improved the state’s commercial environment through road reconstruction, better public services and policies designed to improve 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 explained that the movement’s theme, “The Governor’s 2027 Return Is Sacrosanct,” represents the shared conviction of residents who believe Governor Otti has delivered impactful governance within a relatively short period in office.
Emelike noted that the ongoing rehabilitation of roads, improved electricity supply in parts of the state, regular payment of workers’ salaries and several other development initiatives remain clear evidence of the Governor’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 further urged members of the Abia Arise Movement across the 12 wards of Aba North to intensify grassroots mobilisation and continue supporting the Governor’s development agenda ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Also speaking at the rally, Coordinators of various Abia Arise wards in Aba North, including Mr. Ukonu Okorie (Ward 1), Mr. Marcel Mbama (Ward 3), Mr. Chinedu Nnadi (Ward 11), Mr. Nwokoma Chukwudi (Ward 12), and the Coordinator of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic Chapter of Abia Arise, Dr. Fijoh Kalu Ume, unanimously declared their support for Governor Otti’s second-term bid.
The coordinators maintained that the administration has delivered tangible dividends of democracy across Abia State, highlighting numerous achievements including the reconstruction of major roads in Aba, Umuahia and other parts of the state, urban renewal projects, rehabilitation of schools and healthcare facilities, 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 strategic investments aimed at attracting both local and foreign investors.
They pledged to intensify mobilisation within their respective wards and communities to ensure that Governor Otti secures another mandate in 2027, insisting that continuity is essential for the consolidation of the administration’s development programmes.
The event was further enlivened by colourful drama presentations by the women wing of Abia Arise Aba North and an impressive march-past by members of the movement, adding excitement and spectacle to the successful mega rally, which ended on a memorable note.
Among dignitaries present at the event were the House of Assembly candidate for Aba North, Mrs. Ijeoma Florence Ehuchie; the Abia State Deputy Chairman of the Labour Party, Apostle Eucharia Nkeiruka Ibe; the Abia State Assistant Secretary, Mrs. Nkiruka Olivia Ukaonu; as well as members of the State Working Committee of the Abia Arise Movement.
