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“Imagine What Abia Would Look Like in Eight Years” — Gov. Alex Otti Tells Obingwa Voters as Ikpeazu’s Former Chief of Staff, Barrister Emeka Enwereji, Joins Labour Party, Declares Support for Otti
“Imagine What Abia Would Look Like in Eight Years” — Gov. Alex Otti Tells Obingwa Voters as Ikpeazu’s Former Chief of Staff, Barrister Emeka Enwereji, Joins Labour Party, Declares Support for Otti
The Labour Party has recorded a major political boost in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State following the defection of the immediate past Chief of Staff to former Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, Barr. Emeka Enwereji, alongside other prominent political stakeholders in the area, to the party.
Enwereji’s formal entry into the Labour Party took place on Thursday, November 12, 2026, during the party’s campaign rally for Obingwa East State Constituency, held at Obete in Obingwa LGA. His defection, alongside other political figures and supporters, added a significant political dimension to the rally, which was attended by Governor Alex Otti, party leaders, government officials and supporters from across the state.
The development represents a notable political realignment in Obingwa, particularly given Enwereji’s previous position as Chief of Staff during the administration of former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his involvement in the state’s political landscape.
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Addressing the mammoth crowd of party faithful and supporters, Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, called on the people of Obingwa East to throw their weight behind all Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming elections, emphasising the importance of securing a legislative majority to protect the party’s political interests and consolidate the ongoing transformation of Abia State.
The Governor expressed appreciation to the people of Obingwa for their support and dismissed suggestions that the area was not favourably disposed to his administration. He maintained that he had enjoyed a longstanding relationship with communities across the local government and was confident that the people would continue to identify with his development agenda.
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According to Governor Otti, although the people of Obingwa had voted for him in previous elections, their mandate was allegedly manipulated and stolen by political opponents. He, however, assured residents that his administration and the Labour Party would work towards ensuring that the will of the electorate is respected in the forthcoming polls.
“I know that in previous elections, when you voted for me, my opponents stole the votes. But this time, it will be different because nobody will steal the votes cast by the people. There will be no rigging as witnessed in the past,“ Governor Otti declared.
The Governor further cautioned against what he described as incomplete political support, explaining that voting for him without electing other Labour Party candidates into the National Assembly and Abia State House of Assembly would undermine the party’s ability to effectively advance its programmes and policies.
He therefore urged the electorate to vote for all Labour Party candidates, stressing that a strong legislative presence would provide the necessary political support for the continued implementation of his administration’s transformation agenda.
To make voting easier for the electorate, Governor Otti reminded supporters to identify the Labour Party symbol on the ballot paper, which he described as “Papa, Mama, Pikin”, and vote accordingly.
He also charged party members and supporters to remain vigilant throughout the electoral process, particularly during the counting, sorting and movement of ballot papers to collation centres, insisting that every vote must be properly accounted for.
The Governor, however, warned against violence and electoral misconduct, urging supporters to protect their votes through lawful and peaceful means.
“We are not asking you to fight anyone or disrupt the electoral process, but to ensure that the votes you cast are protected“ Governor Otti said.
Highlighting the achievements of his administration, Governor Otti said the transformation currently taking place across Abia State had been achieved within just three years, expressing confidence that the state would witness even greater progress if given another term to complete and expand the ongoing reforms.
“All the transformations and achievements recorded in the State under my administration have been accomplished in just three years.
“Imagine what Abia would look like in eight years as we continue to implement our transformation agenda. The entire State will be transformed,” the Governor stated.
He particularly emphasised his administration’s commitment to creating an economy that would provide opportunities for young people within the state, rather than forcing them to relocate to other parts of Nigeria or travel abroad in search of employment.
According to him, the government is working towards establishing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, creating sustainable employment opportunities and providing essential infrastructure and basic amenities that would encourage graduates and skilled young people to build their futures in Abia.
Governor Otti also demonstrated his administration’s responsiveness to community concerns when he addressed a complaint by a traditional ruler over persistent electricity challenges in his community.
In response, the Governor directed the Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area to immediately engage with the traditional ruler and the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities to find a lasting solution to the problem. He also gave express approval for the deployment of a transformer to the affected community, in a move aimed at improving electricity supply and addressing the concerns raised by residents.
Speaking at the rally, the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Labour Party candidate for Osisioma/Obingwa/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency, Dr. Okey Chiemela Wambu; and the party’s candidate for Obingwa East State Constituency, Dr. Kelechi Seth Ebere, separately commended Governor Otti for the extensive infrastructural development taking place in Obingwa East, particularly Agalaba, as well as other communities across Obingwa and Abia State.
The political leaders acknowledged the impact of the administration’s development projects and expressed confidence in Governor Otti’s re-election prospects, maintaining that his performance in office had continued to strengthen public confidence in his leadership.
In his welcome address, the Abia State Labour Party Chairman, Hon. Peter Chigozie Azubuike, thanked Governor Otti for what he described as his genuine love, commitment and demonstrated concern for the people of Obingwa through the execution of people-oriented projects.
Azubuike expressed optimism that the people would reciprocate the Governor’s commitment to their welfare and development by voting massively for him and other Labour Party candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
He particularly described Governor Otti as a promise-keeping leader, citing the completion of the 12.6-kilometre Ohanze-Akirikaobu Road as evidence of his administration’s determination to fulfil its commitments to the people.
According to the state party chairman, the successful delivery of the strategic road project has further reinforced the confidence of residents in the Governor’s promises and capacity to deliver critical infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the newly received members, Barr. Emeka Enwereji, the immediate past Chief of Staff to former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, declared their readiness to mobilise support for the Labour Party and work towards the overall victory of the party and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
His declaration marked one of the major highlights of the rally, as the former Chief of Staff’s entry into the Labour Party brought additional political significance to the party’s mobilisation efforts in Obingwa.
In his vote of thanks, the Director General of the Abia State Labour Party Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, appreciated the people of Obingwa for their impressive turnout and show of support for Governor Otti and the party’s candidates.
He urged residents to sustain the momentum by turning out in large numbers during the elections to vote for all Labour Party candidates, assuring them that more development projects and people-oriented programmes await Abia under Governor Otti’s leadership.
The rally attracted several prominent political figures and government functionaries, including former Deputy Governor of Abia State and Chairman of the Governorship Campaign Advisory Council, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu; National Labour Party Vice Chairman, South East, Hon. Ishmael Onuoha; and other top government officials and party stakeholders.
The reception of Barr. Emeka Enwereji and other political stakeholders into the Labour Party further underscored the party’s ongoing mobilisation drive in Obingwa as it intensifies efforts to consolidate its political structures and streng then its support base ahead of the forthcoming elections.
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