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ARIARIA MARKET TRADERS ENDORSE GOV. ALEX OTTI, ROLL OUT MASSIVE SOLIDARITY RALLY, DECLARE 2027 GOVERNORSHIP A ‘NO VACANCY’ ZONE
ARIARIA MARKET TRADERS ENDORSE GOV. ALEX OTTI, ROLL OUT MASSIVE SOLIDARITY RALLY, DECLARE 2027 GOVERNORSHIP A ‘NO VACANCY’ ZONE
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Ariaria International Market, one of the commercial powerhouses of Abia State, has declared its political position ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the leadership of the Ariaria International Market Traders Association (AIMATA) officially endorsed Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for re-election, alongside his Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, and all Labour Party candidates.
The endorsement, which took place on Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the A-Line T-Junction within the market, was accompanied by a massive solidarity rally that brought together traders, market leaders, political stakeholders, youth groups and supporters of the Labour Party in a colourful demonstration of support for the Otti administration.
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Under the banner of unity and political solidarity, the traders reaffirmed their commitment to the governor’s re-election bid, declaring that the Abia State Government House would remain a no-go area for the opposition in 2027.
The rally, which the organisers described as a one-million-man solidarity match, underscored the market leadership’s determination to mobilise traders and supporters behind the governor and other Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming elections.
Beyond the endorsement of Governor Otti and Deputy Governor Emetu, the market association extended its political backing to Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial District; Rep. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, popularly known as Onyeocha N’Aba for Aba North and South Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa for Aba South State Constituency; Hon. Stephen Akachukwu Ucheonye for Aba Central State Constituency; and Mrs. Ifeoma Florence Ehuchie for Aba North State Constituency.
The endorsement reflected the association’s stated confidence in the Otti administration’s performance, particularly in infrastructure, electricity, security, commercial development and efforts to restore public confidence in governance across Abia State.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Ariaria International Market Traders Association, Hon. Chief Polycarp Muojiuba fondly called ‘Taria-aku na Nneni’, said the decision to endorse Governor Otti was informed by what the traders described as tangible improvements under the present administration.
“We are gathered here because we have seen the good works of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, in Abia State. His administration has brought good roads, massive infrastructural renewal, improved power supply, adequate security and the restoration of dignity to Abia State.
“For these reasons, we have gathered as one united market to endorse Governor Alex Otti and all Labour Party candidates.
“We have registered over 7,000 voters and enrolled over 7,000 traders for Labour Party online e-membership to ensure Ariaria speaks with one voice in 2027.
“We have restored peace, unity and harmony in Ariaria International Market.
“We have restored network connectivity to a large extent by installing a temporary mast to ease business transactions.
“For the first time in the history of Ariaria International Market, AIMATA now has a befitting new Secretariat, which will be commissioned today.
“We appeal to the State Government to assist us in reclaiming and rehabilitating bad spots in the market and providing solar lights in strategic areas for illumination and security.
“The AIMATA executives, Elders Forum, stakeholders, zonal chairmen and traders of Ariaria International Market hereby pledge our total and unalloyed support to Governor Alex Otti and all Labour Party candidates.
“We are endorsing them today as the only candidates we know and will support come 2027,” Chief Muojiuba stated.
Chief Muojiuba’s remarks highlighted the association’s efforts to strengthen political participation among traders, improve coordination within the market and address practical challenges affecting commercial activities.
The disclosure that more than 7,000 traders had been registered for Labour Party electronic membership, alongside a similar number of voter registrations, formed one of the major talking points of the event. The figures were presented by the AIMATA chairman as evidence of the association’s preparations for the next electoral cycle.
He also used the occasion to appeal for additional government interventions within the market, particularly the rehabilitation of deteriorated sections and the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility, safety and commercial activities.
The commissioning of the association’s new secretariat further underscored the market leadership’s emphasis on institutional development and the provision of a permanent administrative centre for traders.
Representing the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Salome Nkemakolam Obiukwu, the Deputy Director of Commerce in the Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Mr. Okpara Moses, conveyed the commissioner’s message of assurance and solidarity to the traders. He reaffirmed the administration’s political message ahead of the 2027 election, expressing confidence that Governor Otti would secure another term to continue his development agenda.
According to him, the arithmetic of the forthcoming election was straightforward: 4+4 would equal 8, a slogan he used to reinforce the administration’s aspiration for a second term.
His message aligned with the position expressed by the AIMATA leadership that the traders’ endorsement was intended to translate into electoral support for Governor Otti and all Labour Party candidates.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Kalu Iheke, commended the AIMATA leadership for organising the rally and formally endorsing Governor Otti and all Labour Party candidates. He described the endorsement as an important demonstration of political commitment and praised Chief Muojiuba and his executive for the work they had undertaken since assuming leadership of the association.
The mayor also drew attention to the electoral significance of Ariaria Ward 9, which he said had approximately 93 polling units, making it one of the major voting centres.
Reflecting on the 2023 governorship election, Hon. Iheke stated that in 2023 Governorship election, the Labour Party did not lost any polling unit in Ariaria Ward 9 and urged traders and political stakeholders to sustain that performance in 2027.
He challenged the market community to transform the enthusiasm demonstrated at the rally into effective voter participation and support for the party’s candidates.
The mayor further noted that the Otti administration had provided an environment in which opposition parties could freely campaign, including within the market. However, he warned against any attempt to disrupt public order or provoke violence, stressing that the government would take appropriate action where necessary.
He urged political actors to conduct their activities peacefully and responsibly while respecting the law.
Hon. Iheke also praised the new AIMATA secretariat, describing the achievements of the association’s leadership under Chief Muojiuba as remarkable and worthy of commendation.
The Director of Special Duties of the Abia State Labour Party Governorship Campaign Council, Dr. Christian Uche Anokwuru, applauded the AIMATA leadership and traders for reaffirming their support for Governor Otti’s re-election bid.
He commended the association for bringing together traders and political support groups for the solidarity rally, describing their participation as a significant expression of confidence in the governor’s administration.
Dr. Anokwuru also expressed optimism that Abia State would witness further development under another Otti administration, urging supporters to remain committed to the party’s political objectives.
His remarks reinforced the campaign council’s call for sustained grassroots mobilisation and a coordinated effort to secure electoral victories for Labour Party candidates across the state.
The Director-General of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Arc. Uche Ukeje, declared that the ongoing transformation of Aba represented only the beginning of a broader development agenda. He maintained that the improvements already recorded in the commercial city were just an icing on the cake, expressing confidence that a second term for Governor Otti would usher in even more ambitious projects and development interventions.
According to him, Aba would witness remarkable progress in the governor’s proposed second tenure, with the potential to strengthen the city’s position as a leading commercial and industrial centre.
Arc. Ukeje also cautioned against selective voting, warning that supporters should not endorse Governor Otti for governor while voting for opposition candidates in legislative elections. He urged traders and Labour Party supporters to work towards securing victories for the party’s candidates at every level, from the governorship to the State House of Assembly.
His appeal reflected the campaign’s emphasis on a unified electoral strategy designed to align support for the governor with support for Labour Party candidates contesting other positions.
The Labour Party candidate for Aba North State Constituency, Mrs. Ijeoma Florence Euchie, expressed appreciation to the traders for their impressive turnout and support for Governor Otti. She said the rally demonstrated the market community’s appreciation of the governor’s administration and urged voters to support his re-election to enable him to continue his development programmes.
Mrs. Euchie also raised concerns about women’s representation in the Abia State House of Assembly, observing that the absence of a female member did not reflect the inclusive ideals expected in a representative democracy. She explained that her decision to contest was motivated by the desire to provide a stronger voice for women and young people in Aba North State Constituency.
The candidate said she hoped to use the opportunity, if elected, to champion issues affecting women, youths and other constituents whose interests required effective representation in the legislature.
Her remarks added a gender and youth inclusion dimension to the rally, broadening the conversation beyond the governor’s re-election to the importance of representation at the state legislative level.
The Chairman of the Ariaria Stakeholders Forum, Chief Ikechukwu Udechukwu, also expressed confidence in Governor Otti’s administration, stating that the governor’s performance had provided a strong basis for the endorsement. He maintained that the rally represented another indication that the market’s leadership and traders were firmly behind the governor as preparations for the 2027 elections gathered momentum.
His position reflected the central message of the event: that the market community intended to use its collective influence to support the governor and the Labour Party candidates.
One of the major highlights of the rally was the coming together of several political support groups under a common platform.
The groups included Abia Arise, Echezona Street Vanguard for Dr. Alex Otti, Chioma Abia political structure, Dr. Alex Otti Ambassadors, Otawike Youth Initiative, Divine Mandate and others. Their participation brought together different political networks and grassroots mobilisation structures, projecting an image of unity among supporters of the governor within the Ariaria commercial community.
The rally commenced at the A-Line T-Junction inside the market and proceeded through Enyimba to the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, from Port Harcourt Road to Brass Junction, and through Faulks Road before returning to the market.
Along the route, traders and supporters turned out in large numbers, displaying enthusiasm for the Labour Party and Governor Otti’s re-election campaign.
The procession transformed sections of the market and adjoining routes into a visible show of political solidarity, with participants using the occasion to communicate their position ahead of the forthcoming elections.
The scale of participation, combined with the endorsement by AIMATA’s leadership and the involvement of several support groups, gave the rally significance as a grassroots political mobilisation exercise.
Beyond the political activities, the event featured the official commissioning of the new Ariaria International Market Traders Association secretariat, marking an important milestone for the association.
The facility was commissioned by the immediate past Acting State Chairman of the Labour Party, Mazi Sir Emmanuel Nwaeze Oti, alongside the party’s candidate for Aba North State Constituency, Mrs. Ijeoma Florence Euchie, and the President-General of the Abia State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ASMATA), Hon. Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo.
The new secretariat represents a major administrative development for AIMATA, providing the association with a befitting base for its activities and engagement with traders, government agencies and other stakeholders.
The commissioning also provided an opportunity to recognise the current leadership’s efforts to strengthen the association’s institutional capacity while promoting unity and cooperation within the market.
For traders operating in one of the state’s major commercial hubs, an effective and accessible administrative structure can play an important role in coordinating market affairs, addressing common concerns and facilitating communication with the government.
The rally and endorsement ceremony attracted several political stakeholders, community leaders, business figures and supporters of the Labour Party.
Among those in attendance were Chief Ernest Onyeka Udeaja, popularly known as Mmirimaraugo; the Managing Director of Blessed Henken International Company Ltd.; Engr. Henry Okoroafor; Chief Chijioke Michael Amaku; Comrade Chikadibia Ozoekwe; and Dcn. Michael Ogbonnaya Aniorji, among others.
Their presence underscored the event’s importance within the political and commercial circles of Aba, where Ariaria International Market remains a major centre of economic activity and grassroots engagement.
For AIMATA, however, the message from Thursday’s gathering was unmistakable: the association’s leadership is throwing its weight behind the governor’s re-election bid and calling on traders to support the Labour Party’s candidates across the ballot.
With its endorsement, solidarity procession and commissioning of a new secretariat, Ariaria International Market has made its political position known as the race towards 2027 continues to gather momentum.
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