Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has formally inaugurated the Labour Party (LP) Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, urging members to take the party’s campaign to the grassroots and build effective structures from the polling-unit level.
Governor Otti inaugurated the council on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, where he charged members to work closely with the party leadership, candidates, support groups and other stakeholders to secure victory for the Labour Party in the 2027 elections.
The Governor described the appointment of members of the campaign council as a call to service rather than an opportunity to exercise authority over fellow party members. He urged those appointed to see themselves as “best among equals” and to prioritise teamwork and collective responsibility.
According to Otti, the success of the 2027 campaign would depend largely on the ability of the party and its various structures to work together. He noted that Nigeria’s electoral system remains party-based, making cooperation among the party leadership, candidates, campaign groups and grassroots structures essential.
He therefore directed all support groups associated with the Labour Party, including Abia Arise and campaign councils established by individual candidates, to coordinate their activities with the main party structure.
“Candidates must work with the leadership of the party and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives,” the Governor said, emphasising that the responsibility for the campaign extends beyond the members of the state campaign council.
Otti Demands Issue-Based Campaign
Governor Otti further charged the newly inaugurated council to adopt an issue-driven campaign strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
He explained that the character of the next campaign should be different from the 2023 experience, with greater emphasis placed on governance, achievements, policies and programmes capable of directly addressing the needs of the people.
Rather than allowing political opponents to dictate the narrative through propaganda, Otti urged Labour Party campaigners to remain focused and consistently communicate the administration’s record and vision to voters.
He also encouraged candidates contesting various elective positions to establish their own campaign councils, noting that such structures would complement the state campaign machinery and strengthen mobilisation across constituencies.
While the State Campaign Council will provide overall coordination, the Governor said candidates and grassroots party structures must take ownership of mobilisation within their respective constituencies, local government areas, wards and polling units.
Governor Warns Against Political Violence
Governor Otti also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to providing a peaceful political environment ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned party members and political actors against engaging in violence, stressing that the state would not tolerate acts capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of political activities.
“If you get involved in political violence, you are on your own,” Otti warned.
The Governor said security agencies had been directed to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, allowing them to conduct their campaigns without intimidation or violence.
He added that the administration had created an open environment for political engagement and would continue to protect the peace of the state.
Campaign Council to Be Supported by Advisory Council
Governor Otti also disclosed that the newly inaugurated Campaign Council would be supported by a Campaign Advisory Council, which will be chaired by the former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.
He expressed confidence that effective coordination, grassroots mobilisation, teamwork and issue-based messaging would position the Labour Party for a strong performance in the 2027 elections.
The Governor consequently directed members of the council to return to their wards and local government areas and begin building strong structures capable of connecting the party’s message directly with voters at the polling-unit level.
Agwu U. Agwu Pledges Commitment
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated council, the Director-General, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, assured Governor Otti that members would work diligently to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to them.
Agwu described the assignment as a call to service and pledged that members would deploy their collective experience, organisational capacity and commitment toward achieving victory for the Labour Party.
He stressed that the campaign would not be centred on individuals but on consolidating the achievements of the Otti administration and laying the foundation for a stronger future for Abia State.
Ememanka: Otti Is a “Marketable Candidate”
The Director of Publicity and Spokesman of the Campaign Council, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, also assured that members would work collectively to deliver on the council’s mandate.
Ememanka described Governor Otti as a “marketable candidate,” saying the council’s responsibility would be to provide the institutional support and organisational framework required to effectively communicate his record and campaign message to the electorate.
He reiterated the council’s commitment to an issue-based campaign and rejected the use of violence as a political strategy.
According to him, the campaign would focus on presenting the Governor’s record, personality and vision to the people while resisting attempts to divert the campaign into unnecessary confrontation.
Labour Party 2027 Campaign Council Membership
The inaugurated Abia State Labour Party Campaign Council is chaired by Governor Alex Otti, with Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu serving as Vice Chairman.
The principal officers are:
Director-General — Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu
Director of Finance — Dr. Eric Egwuibe
Director of Strategy/Planning — Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili
Director of Legal — Mr. Kelechi Nwaiwu, SAN
Director of Publicity — Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka
Director of Special Duties — Dr. Christian Anokwuru
Director of Security — AIG Arungwa Nwazue (Rtd.)
Director, Women Affairs — Mrs. Helen Ego Okorie
Director, Youth Affairs — Mr. Chizaram Philip Akpulonu
The zonal coordinators are Prof. Udochukwu Ogbonna for Abia Central, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu for Abia North and Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike for Abia South.
State constituency coordinators were also appointed across the state’s constituencies, including Innocent Eleogu for Ikwuano; Dr. Obioma Orji for Isiala Ngwa North; Hon. Dannie Ubani for Isiala Ngwa South; Emmanuel Maduforo Ufomba for Osisioma North; Innocent Enyinnaya Anyanwu for Osisioma South; Col. Emeka Chilaka (Rtd.) for Umuahia Central; Chief Okey Onyemuwa for Umuahia East; Dr. Aham Uko for Umuahia North; and Hon. Jerry Uzosike for Umuahia South.
Other coordinators include Mr. Ikerionwu Okarimie for Bende South; Mr. Silas Eke for Bende North; Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo for Isuikwuato; Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi for Ohafia North; Mr. Kalu Ukwu Uduma for Ohafia South; Mr. Kingsley C. Uchechukwu for Umunneochi; Chief Shaka Dimgba Obasi for Aba Central; Mr. George Ezikpe Okeiyi for Aba North; Mr. Chidi Onyendi for Aba South; Mr. Ndubisi Obioha Christopher for Obingwa East; Mr. Jap Nnamdi Onwunali for Obingwa West; Dr. Temple Nwosu for Ugwunagbo; Hon. Paul Taribo for Ukwa East; Hon. Ralph Egbu for Ukwa West; and Chief Okezie Azuma for Arochukwu.
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With the inauguration, the Labour Party has formally commenced preparations for its 2027 campaign machinery in Abia State, with Governor Otti placing strong emphasis on grassroots mobilisation, internal coordination, peaceful political engagement and a campaign centred on issues, governance and measurable achievements.
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