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Aba South Mayor, Hon. Anyanwu Obialor, Mobilises as 13 Market Leaders in Aba Rally Behind Gov. Alex Otti, Pledges Support for 2027 Re-Election
Aba South Mayor, Hon. Anyanwu Obialor, Mobilises as 13 Market Leaders in Aba Rally Behind Gov. Alex Otti, Pledges Support for 2027 Re-Election
In a major boost to grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Mayor of Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu, has hosted chairmen of 13 major markets in Aba South and beyond, where the market leaders reaffirmed their support for Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, and candidates of the Labour Party.
The strategic meeting, held at the Mayor’s office on Monday, October 26, 2026, brought together prominent market leaders to strengthen cooperation between the local government administration and the trading community, promote peace and order in markets, and consolidate grassroots support for the New Abia agenda.
The gathering also provided an opportunity for the Mayor to outline his expectations for market leadership, emphasising accountability, effective coordination, peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement with traders.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Anyanwu charged the market chairmen to demonstrate effective leadership in their respective markets and take full responsibility for activities within their jurisdictions.
Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
He stressed that market leaders must remain actively involved in the day-to-day administration of their markets, know what is happening within their trading communities, and ensure that peace, orderliness and cordial relationships prevail among traders.
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The Aba South council boss further called on the market chairmen to use their positions to promote unity and encourage traders to sustain their support for Governor Alex Otti, whose administration he said had demonstrated a commitment to fulfilling its promises to the people.
According to the Mayor, the governor’s performance since assuming office has provided a strong basis for continued grassroots mobilisation, noting that the transformation witnessed across Abia State, particularly in road infrastructure and other critical sectors, has strengthened public confidence in the New Abia administration.
He urged the market leaders to take the message of governance and development to their respective markets, encouraging traders to assess the administration based on its record of performance and its impact on their businesses and livelihoods.
In a move aimed at preventing unnecessary disruptions and promoting harmonious relationships within the trading communities, the Mayor issued two major directives to the market leaders and political groups operating in the markets.
First, he directed Labour Party support groups operating within the markets to notify the respective market chairmen before embarking on political programmes or activities within the market premises.
The directive, he explained, would encourage proper coordination, respect for market leadership and the smooth running of commercial activities.
Second, he urged market chairmen to adopt an inclusive and respectful approach to leadership, cautioning them against using their positions to intimidate traders or impose their authority on them.
He emphasised that market leadership should be built on mutual respect, constructive engagement and a commitment to protecting the interests of traders.
The Mayor also disclosed that Governor Alex Otti is scheduled to visit Aba South on November 3, 2026, as part of his campaign tour. A town hall meeting is expected to precede the main campaign activities, providing an opportunity for engagement with residents and stakeholders.
Responding on behalf of the market leaders, the Chairman of Eziukwu Road Market, Chief Oba Moses, expressed appreciation to the Mayor for convening the meeting, describing it as an important step towards strengthening unity, cooperation and effective communication among market leaders.
He assured the council boss that traders across the various markets had expressed confidence in Governor Otti and the Labour Party, attributing their support to the governor’s commitment to delivering on the promises he made before the 2023 elections.
Chief Oba particularly highlighted the administration’s road construction projects across Aba, noting that improved road infrastructure and better access to commercial centres had positively influenced the perception of traders towards the government.
He maintained that the governor’s commitment to improving infrastructure and restoring the commercial vitality of Aba had earned him goodwill among traders, many of whom are prepared to support his re-election bid in 2027.
The market leader’s remarks underscored the importance of infrastructure development to the trading community, where accessible roads, improved transportation and smoother movement of goods remain critical to business growth.
Also contributing to the discussions, the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Mr. Emeka Okeke, popularly known as Mecon, proposed the establishment of a unified communication platform for market chairmen. He explained that a common platform would make it easier for market leaders to share information, coordinate activities, address emerging challenges and maintain stronger relationships with one another.
Mr. Okeke also raised concerns about political groups allegedly using market premises for campaign activities without obtaining the necessary authorisation from market leadership. He warned that such activities could disrupt commercial operations and create avoidable tension within the markets, stressing the need for political organisations to respect established market structures and obtain proper clearance before conducting programmes.
His intervention reinforced the Mayor’s call for improved coordination, responsible political engagement and the protection of traders’ businesses from unnecessary disruptions.
The meeting witnessed contributions from several market leaders, who collectively expressed support for Governor Otti and candidates of the Labour Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leaders maintained that their position was informed by what they described as the governor’s record of delivering on his campaign promises, particularly in infrastructure development and efforts to improve the business environment in Aba.
They expressed confidence that continued investment in roads and other public infrastructure would further strengthen commercial activities and improve the conditions under which traders operate.
The market chairmen also stressed that their markets should remain primarily centres of commerce and legitimate business activities, warning against unauthorised political campaigns that could interfere with the daily operations of traders.
Their collective position highlighted the growing importance of market associations as grassroots stakeholders in Abia’s political landscape, given their extensive networks, influence within trading communities and ability to mobilise large numbers of residents.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Aba South Labour Party and the Abia Arise Coordinator, Chief Egbebu Mmaju and Deacon Kingsley Madubuike, respectively, urged the market leaders to remain committed to sustaining the New Abia agenda. They encouraged the chairmen to maintain regular engagement with traders, communicate the administration’s policies and achievements, and mobilise support for the Labour Party as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
They further emphasised the need for unity, discipline and strategic grassroots engagement, noting that market leaders occupy an important position in connecting the government with traders and other members of the public.
The meeting ended with renewed assurances of cooperation among the market leaders and the local government leadership, alongside a shared commitment to maintaining peace in the markets and strengthening political mobilisation ahead of the forthcoming elections.
List of Market Leaders in Attendance include, Eziukwu Road Market chairman, Chief Oba Moses; Ekeoha Shopping Centre Market chairman, Comrade Emeka Okeke (Mecon); Ngwa Road Market chairman, Chief Munachimso Ejim; Uratta Market chairman, Theophilos Molokwu; Ariaria International Market chairman; Chief Polycap Muojiuba (Tariako); Old Court Market chairman, Ide Ikechukwu Anagwo; Good Morning Market chairman, Mr. Aro Benjamin, Enyimba Plaza market chairman, Comrade Onyenkachi Esochaghi; Confectionery Market chairman, Mr. Chinedu Odikobi; Ochendo Shoe and Bag Market chairman, Elder Kelechi G.; Orie Ohabiam Market chairman, Mr. Princewill Iheoma; Nkwongwa Market chairman, Ogbonna Izuchukwu; Faulks Road Market chairman: Comrade Ndubuisi N.
The engagement represents a significant effort by the Aba South local government leadership to strengthen its relationship with the trading community, improve market administration and encourage coordinated political participation.
With Aba serving as one of Abia State’s most important commercial centres, the support and cooperation of its market leaders remain crucial to the administration’s grassroots eng agement strategy as the state approaches another election cycle.
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