Aba Traders, Container Unloaders Rally Support for Otti’s 2027 Re-election Bid

Leaders of major markets and trade unions in Aba, Abia State, have thrown their weight behind Governor Alex Otti’s second-term ambition ahead of the 2027 governorship election, citing the administration’s infrastructural renewal and economic reforms as evidence of effective governance.

The endorsement was made on Thursday during a solidarity rally organised by the Frontline Container Unloaders Union, Aba, alongside traders and market executives from different commercial centres in the city.

Speaking at the rally, the Chairman of Ngwa Road Market, Mr. Munachimso Ejim, said traders in the market unanimously resolved to support Governor Otti’s re-election because of the visible transformation witnessed across Aba.

“As you can see, the Containers Association Aba Branch is here to endorse our amiable governor, Alex Chioma Otti, for 2027, and I join them as the chairman of this market,” Ejim said.

“The entire traders in this market have endorsed the governor for 2027. There is no cause for alarm. No Alex Otti, no Abia State.”

Ejim noted that poor road infrastructure had in the past discouraged customers from outside the state from patronising businesses in Aba, saying that the situation has changed following the rehabilitation of major roads by the current administration.

“In the past, customers from outside Aba found it difficult to access our shops because of bad roads. But today, people from Calabar, Port Harcourt and other parts of the country now come to Aba to do business because we have good roads,” he stated.

According to him, roads such as Port Harcourt, Ohanku and Ngwa roads have significantly improved commercial activities and eased transportation challenges for traders and customers alike.

He also commended the government for fixing internal roads within the market and installing solar-powered street lights.

Ejim disclosed that the market leadership had begun mobilising traders to register for their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre Market, Mr. Emeka Okeke, said Governor Otti has changed the narrative of governance in Abia State through infrastructural development and improved security.

“The governor has transformed the state within the past three years. In the past, people used to see Abia as a backward state, but the story is different today under Dr. Alex Otti,” Okeke said.

He praised the administration for rehabilitating several roads within Aba markets, including Ehi Road, Kent Road and Old Court Road.

“If you go through the markets today, you will see that roads which were once in terrible condition have now been fixed by the present administration,” he stated.

Okeke recalled that Port Harcourt Road had remained in a deplorable condition for more than two decades before Governor Otti assumed office.

He further lauded the ongoing remodelling of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, describing it as a project that would elevate the market to international standards.

“Our traders are rejoicing because these transformations have created a conducive environment for businesses to thrive,” he added.

Okeke urged the governor to sustain the pace of development while reaffirming the market’s support for his re-election bid.

He also encouraged Aba residents to take advantage of the ongoing voter registration exercise within the market.

In his remarks, the President of the Frontline Container Unloaders Union, Aba, Mr. Ifeanyi Sylvester Nwaeboh, said the rally was organised to publicly demonstrate the union’s support for Governor Otti.

“We decided to organise this rally to show the world that our union is 100 per cent with the governor and ready to deploy all relevant resources to support his re-election bid in 2027,” Nwaeboh said.

He recounted the hardship previously experienced by container unloaders around Ariaria Junction due to poor road conditions.

“In the past, Ariaria Junction was in a terrible state. Vehicles carrying containers used to get stuck, forcing us to transfer goods into other vehicles, which was stressful and difficult,” he explained.

According to him, the rehabilitation of roads such as Azikiwe Road by Asa Road, Ehi Road and Ama Ogbonna Road has improved accessibility and eased business operations for traders and transporters.

He added that members of the union had already been mobilised to obtain their PVCs ahead of the next election cycle.

“The union has gone further to ensure that all members get their PVCs, and I can confidently say that every member is prepared for 2027,” he said.

Describing the occasion as “a day of joy,” Nwaeboh said grassroots support for the governor was driven by the administration’s visible achievements across the state.

“We support the governor because we are pleased with his achievements since he assumed office,” he stated.

He also commended the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Chief Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, for maintaining a cordial relationship with the union and its members.