UCHEONYE MOBILIZES ABA MARKET LEADERS, TRADERS FOR OTTI, SAYS SECOND TERM ASSURED

UCHEONYE MOBILIZES ABA MARKET LEADERS, TRADERS FOR OTTI, SAYS SECOND TERM ASSURED

Stakeholders Back Governor Alex Otti as Reconstruction of Uratta, Old Express Roads Gets Underway

The member representing Aba Central State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Hon. Ucheonye Stephen Akachukwu (USA), mobilized market leaders, traders, Labour Party members, political stakeholders and support groups in a massive show of solidarity with Governor Alex Chioma Otti (OFR) during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the 3.95-kilometre Uratta Road and 3.9-kilometre Old Express Road in Aba.

The mobilization, which featured cultural troupes, dance groups, members of his campaign team and other supporters, underscored the lawmaker’s commitment to the infrastructural transformation of Aba under the Otti administration and his confidence in the Governor’s prospects ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Declaring that Governor Otti’s second-term bid was assured, Hon. Ucheonye maintained that the administration’s achievements, particularly in road infrastructure and urban renewal, had provided compelling reasons for Abia residents to support its continuation.

As early as 8 a.m. on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, his teeming supporters had assembled at the lawmaker’s constituency office at No. 42, Pound Road, Aba, from where they embarked on a solidarity procession to the venue of the historic flag-off ceremony.

Led by Hon. Ucheonye, the enthusiastic crowd traversed major roads and commercial centres in Aba, singing, dancing and celebrating what they described as the remarkable transformation of Abia State under Governor Otti.

The procession moved through Pound Road, George’s, Azikiwe Road, Mosque Road, Ehi Road, Kent, Clifford Road, Asa Road and School Road before arriving at Eziukwu Road Market, where additional market leaders and traders joined the delegation.

Among those who received and joined the procession were the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba, Comrade Emeka Okeke, popularly known as MECON Global; the Chairman of Eziukwu Road Market, Hon. Oba Moses, who also serves as Chairman of Chairmen of Abia Markets; and the Chairman of Ngwa Road Market Traders Association (NGWAMATA), Chief Munachimso Ejim, popularly known as Okwuoto Ekene Eze Ndi Abia.

The delegation also paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Mike Onyedikachi Okoro, popularly known as Vote for Jesus, a prominent Aba business mogul and respected figure in the commercial community, before proceeding to Uratta Junction along Port Harcourt Road, the venue of the flag-off ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Ucheonye commended Governor Otti for his sustained commitment to rebuilding Abia State and restoring Aba’s position as a leading commercial hub in the South-East.

He described the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road as significant interventions that would address longstanding infrastructure challenges affecting his constituents and other residents of Aba.

According to the lawmaker, the two roads had remained in deplorable condition for more than two decades, causing severe hardship to residents, traders, motorists and other road users. He noted that movement along some sections had become extremely difficult.

He expressed gratitude to Governor Otti for responding to the people’s longstanding demands, describing the projects as a practical demonstration of responsive leadership and a significant step towards addressing the state’s infrastructure deficit.

Hon. Ucheonye noted that the reconstruction would improve mobility, facilitate commercial activities and enhance the quality of life of residents who had endured years of infrastructure neglect and the associated hardship.

He further praised the Governor for what he described as the unprecedented pace of development across Abia State, expressing confidence that the projects would give residents a new lease of life.

Using an analogy drawn from public transportation, the lawmaker likened Governor Otti to a competent driver and himself to an effective conductor.

He explained that while a good driver steers a vehicle towards its destination, a good conductor helps attract passengers.

He said the analogy reflected his determination to mobilize Aba residents and the wider Abia population in support of the Governor’s development agenda and ensure that the gains recorded under the present administration were consolidated through a second term.

Hon. Ucheonye consequently called on residents across the state to support Governor Otti in the 2027 governorship election, insisting that the administration deserved another opportunity to do more for the people.

In his remarks during the lawmaker’s courtesy visit, Dr. Mike Onyedikachi Okoro (Vote for Jesus) expressed satisfaction with the infrastructural transformation taking place in Aba, describing it as a remarkable departure from the city’s experience in the past 32 years.

He recalled that he had chaired an occasion organized in honour of Governor Otti by the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, at which he had expressed confidence that the Governor would bring remarkable changes to the state.

According to Dr. Okoro, developments witnessed since then had reinforced his earlier conviction that Governor Otti was a providential leader whose administration would make a significant difference in Abia, particularly in Aba.

He expressed satisfaction with the improvements being recorded in the commercial city, noting that traders and residents were already experiencing the benefits of the administration’s interventions.

Dr. Okoro cited the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road and Ohanku Road, among other infrastructure projects, as evidence of the Governor’s commitment to addressing Aba’s longstanding infrastructural challenges.

He said the flag-off of Uratta Road and Old Express Road had further demonstrated the administration’s determination to extend its infrastructural renewal programme to more communities.

The business mogul also commended traders at Eziukwu Road Market for their support for the state government, stressing that the visible improvements in infrastructure had strengthened their confidence in the administration.

He disclosed that traders were planning a larger mobilization to demonstrate their support for Governor Otti, with a proposed gathering after the market’s November 5, 2026, prayer summit.

Dr. Okoro also commended Hon. Oba Moses for his leadership of Eziukwu Road Market and support for the state government’s development efforts.

He equally praised Hon. Ucheonye for his commitment to his constituents, describing him as a worthy representative whose political fortunes were closely linked to the development aspirations of the people.

He expressed confidence that the lawmaker would enjoy the support of the market community as he sought another term in the Abia State House of Assembly in 2027.

The Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba, Comrade Emeka Okeke (MECON Global), commended Governor Otti for initiating projects aimed at alleviating the hardship residents and traders had endured over the years.

He observed that the deplorable condition of major roads in Aba had imposed enormous difficulties on businesses and residents for more than two decades, affecting mobility, commercial transactions and the city’s overall economic activities.

Comrade Okeke expressed confidence that the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road would significantly improve connectivity, ease traffic movement and stimulate economic activities in the affected areas and beyond.

He described the projects as further evidence of the administration’s commitment to rebuilding Aba and creating a more conducive environment for commerce and investment.

The popular Ekeoha chairman also reiterated the market community’s support for Governor Otti’s second-term ambition, urging residents and voters across Abia State to support the Governor in the 2027 election.

He expressed optimism that a continuation of the administration would enable it to consolidate its achievements, expand infrastructure development and further transform Abia State into a major economic destination.

Comrade Okeke also commended Hon. Ucheonye for what he described as his robust legislative contributions and quality representation of the people of Aba Central State Constituency adding that they will deliver him in the 2027 election to continue to represent them.

Similarly, the Chairman of Ngwa Road Market Traders Association, Chief Munachimso Ejim, popularly known as Okwuoto Ekene Eze Ndi Abia, commended Governor Otti for flagging off the reconstruction of the two roads.

Chief Ejim described the Governor as the most outstanding leader Abia State had produced since its creation, attributing the growing public support for his administration to its commitment to infrastructure development and improved governance.

He maintained that the reconstruction of the roads would bring substantial relief to residents and traders who had endured the consequences of their deplorable condition for many years.

The market leader expressed confidence in the Governor’s leadership and called for continued public support for his administration as it pursued its development agenda. He added that there would be no vacancy in Government House in 2027.

He also acknowledged Hon. Ucheonye’s efforts in mobilizing market leaders and traders to identify with the state government’s infrastructural renewal programme, expressing confidence in the lawmaker’s re-election prospects in 2027.

The Chairman of Eziukwu Road Market, Hon. Oba Moses, who also serves as Chairman of Chairmen of Abia Markets, equally commended Governor Otti for the road projects and other developmental initiatives across the state.

He noted that the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road would address critical transportation challenges and improve the business environment for traders and other economic operators in Aba.

Hon. Oba expressed satisfaction with the administration’s commitment to restoring the commercial city’s infrastructure, stressing that the projects represented a welcome development for the market community.

He urged eligible voters to demonstrate their appreciation for the Governor’s performance by supporting his re-election bid in 2027, emphasizing the importance of continuity in sustaining the development gains recorded under the present administration.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Alex Otti disclosed that the funding required for the execution of the various phases of the road projects had been secured.

He assured residents that the reconstruction of Uratta Road and Old Express Road would be completed within 24 months, expressing his administration’s determination to deliver the projects according to schedule.

According to him, the projects would be executed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) under the Abia State Integrated Infrastructure Development Programme, with the involvement of the state and federal governments and development partners, including the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and the Canadian Climate Fund.

The Governor’s assurances were received with enthusiasm by attendees, particularly the supporters who accompanied Hon. Ucheonye to the ceremony, many of whom viewed the projects as a major step towards resolving Aba’s longstanding infrastructure challenges.

For Hon. Ucheonye, the flag-off represented more than the commencement of road construction. It was also an opportunity to rally political and commercial stakeholders behind an administration he believes has demonstrated the capacity to deliver tangible development.

He expressed delight at the pace of development across the state and reiterated his conviction that the reconstruction of the two roads would improve living conditions, stimulate economic growth and strengthen Aba’s commercial importance.

At the conclusion of the event, members of the delegation returned with Hon. Ucheonye to his constituency office.

Some of the participants in the mobilization in support of Governor Otti’s road projects and second-term ambition included Chief Ogan Okereke, Director-General of the Ucheonye Campaign Team; Hon. Umeh Innocent, Chairman of Chairmen (COC), Aba South; and Hon. Chief Uzoubi Ogoh, immediate past councillor representing Ward 10, Aba, and Chairman of Stakeholders, Aba South Markets, popularly known as Pinging Chief.

The impressive turnout of market leaders, traders and political supporters highlighted Hon. Ucheonye’s grassroots mobilization capacity and the support he enjoys among sections of Aba’s commercial and political communities.