ARIARIA TRADERS ENDORSE OTTI FOR 2027, DECLARE ‘NO VACANCY’ IN GOVERNMENT HOUSE, UMUAHIA
The political atmosphere in Abia State is gathering momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) attracting endorsements from political leaders, market associations, socio-cultural organizations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, captains of industry, youths and other stakeholders who identify with his administration’s development agenda.
The growing wave of endorsements received another significant boost on Thursday, October 8, 2026, when the executive and entire traders of Ariaria International Market, Aba, under the auspices of the Ariaria International Market Traders Association, Aba (AIMATA), declared their unreserved support for Governor Otti’s second-term bid.
The traders, who shut their businesses to participate in the rally, expressed their determination to return the governor to Government House, Umuahia, in 2027, declaring emphatically that there was “No Vacancy in Government House, Umuahia.”
The colourful mega rally, organized to mobilize support for Governor Otti and other Labour Party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, was held at the A-Line T-Junction of Ariaria International Market and attracted an unprecedented crowd of traders, party faithful, political leaders, market stakeholders and supporters from different parts of Aba.
The rally also served as a platform for the traders to endorse other Labour Party candidates, including Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for Abia South Senatorial District; Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, popularly known as Onyeocha na Aba, for Aba North and South Federal Constituency; Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, for Aba South State Constituency; Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu for Aba Central State Constituency; and Hon. Ijeoma Florence Ehuche for Aba North State Constituency.
Addressing the huge crowd, the Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Chief Polycarp Muojiuba, popularly known as Tarieaku, applauded Governor Otti for what he described as his transformative leadership and remarkable achievements within a relatively short period in office.
He said traders and residents of Aba had witnessed significant improvements in infrastructure and governance, expressing confidence that the governor’s re-election would consolidate the gains already recorded.
Chief Muojiuba commended the market traders, the organizing committee and the various support groups for their overwhelming participation and solidarity, assuring them that a second term for Governor Otti would provide an opportunity for the state to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
He urged eligible voters to ensure that their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were ready, stressing that active participation in the electoral process remained the surest way to translate their endorsements into electoral victory for Governor Otti and other Labour Party candidates.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Mazi Ufere Godwin Inyamah (Ezeudo 1 of Arochukwu), expressed appreciation to the market executive, the planning committee and the entire trading community for the successful organization of the mega rally.
He described Governor Otti’s re-election as sacrosanct, declaring that the governor had earned the confidence of the people through his performance in office.
According to him, those aspiring to challenge Governor Otti in the 2027 governorship election would have a difficult task convincing Abia voters to abandon an administration whose achievements, he argued, were visible across the state.
“His good works speak for him. There is no point talking too much. If you come to Aba, you will see things for yourself. He has justified the mandate we gave him in 2023 and fulfilled his promises to us,” he said.
Mazi Inyamah specifically praised the improvement in Aba’s road infrastructure, noting that motorists could now travel more conveniently between different parts of the commercial city because of improved roads, streetlights and drainage systems.
He described Governor Otti as a special gift to Abia State and expressed gratitude to God for giving the state a governor whose performance, in his view, had exceeded expectations.
Invoking the popular maxim that the reward for hard work is more work, the Ariaria market vice chairman urged traders to demonstrate their appreciation at the polls.
He declared that the traders’ support for Governor Otti and other Labour Party candidates was total and expressed confidence that they would mobilize their PVCs to secure victory for the party in 2027.
The President General of the Abia State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Hon. Chief Alphonsus E. Udeigbo, was among the prominent personalities at the rally.
His presence underscored the significance of the endorsement within Abia’s organized trading community, given ASMATA’s role in bringing together traders and market associations across the state.
He commended the leadership and entire traders of Ariaria International Market, Aba for the Mega Rally emphasizing that it is Governor Alex Otti or Nothing in the 2027 election.
He lauded Governor Alex Otti’s giant strides across the state, especially in Aba and Umuahia. He said that ASMATA – the umbrella body representing the interests of traders across Abia State has a strategic role to play in mobilizing their members for active participation in the 2027 election to ensure the landslide victory of Governor Alex Otti and other Labour Party candidates in the state.
The event was highly successful and attracted several political leaders and stakeholders, including the Mayor of Aba North Local Government Area, Hon. Timothy Iheke; Hon. Ijeoma Florence Ehuche, Labour Party candidate for Aba North State Constituency; Dr. N.C.N.C. Okoli (Macro), who represented Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency; Hon. Emmanuel Nwaeze, immediate past Abia State Chairman of the Labour Party; Hon. Dcn. Michael Aniorji, members of Ariaria Elders Forum among others.
The massive turnout, market closure and public declarations of support made the rally a significant mobilization event for the Labour Party in Aba as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
