NEWS
“If You Get Involved in Political Violence, You Are on Your Own” — Gov. Alex Otti Says, as He Inaugurates 2027 LP Campaign Council
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has inaugurated the Labour Party (LP) Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections, charging members to work closely with the party’s structures, candidates, support groups and grassroots stakeholders to secure victory for the party.
The inauguration, held on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, marked a major step in the Labour Party’s preparations for the 2027 elections, with Governor Otti urging members of the council to see their appointment as a responsibility to serve rather than an avenue to exercise authority over others.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Otti emphasised that membership of the Campaign Council was a call to service, urging members to regard themselves as “best among equals” and to work collectively towards achieving the party’s electoral objectives.
The Governor noted that Nigeria’s electoral system is structured around political parties because independent candidacy is not yet permitted, making the strength, unity and effectiveness of party structures critical to electoral success.
He therefore directed all pro-groups of the Labour Party, including Abia Arise and the various campaign councils that would be established by individual candidates, to work in harmony with the official party structures.
“Candidates must work with the leadership of the party and other stakeholders to achieve the objectives.
“You must work with the party’s pro-groups. The leadership for this campaign goes beyond people sitting here. Everybody is involved,” the Governor stated.
Governor Otti also urged candidates contesting various elective positions to constitute their own campaign councils, explaining that such structures would complement the State Campaign Council and strengthen the party’s mobilisation efforts across the state.
According to him, while the State Campaign Council would provide overall coordination and direction, individual candidates and grassroots party structures must equally take ownership of the mobilisation process in their respective constituencies, wards and polling units.
He charged members of the council to ensure that the 2027 campaign is firmly anchored on issues, achievements and programmes that directly affect the people, noting that the campaign would be different from that of 2023.
The Governor explained that while the 2023 election campaign was largely driven by promises and expectations, the 2027 campaign should be based substantially on what the administration has achieved, its programmes and policies, as well as the issues that matter most to the people of Abia.
Governor Otti further cautioned members of the council against allowing opposition propaganda and distractions to derail the party’s message, urging them to remain focused and communicate the administration’s achievements effectively.
On the issue of security, the Governor reiterated that his administration had created an atmosphere of peace and openness for political activities across Abia, warning that anyone who chooses violence would not enjoy the protection of the government.
“If you get involved in Political Violence, You are on Your Own.
“We have made this place peaceful and open. Violence will not be entertained. We are not going to tolerate violence,” Governor Otti said.
He disclosed that security agencies had been directed to provide a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, stressing that every contestant should be allowed to campaign freely without intimidation, harassment or violence.
Governor Otti again reminded members of the Campaign Council that their appointments were not intended to confer superiority on them, but to entrust them with the responsibility of serving the party and the people.
He also announced that the State Campaign Council would be complemented by a Campaign Advisory Council to be chaired by the former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.
The Governor expressed confidence that the combination of effective coordination, grassroots mobilisation, issue-based campaigning and cooperation among party members and stakeholders would position the Labour Party for stronger performance in the 2027 elections.
He specifically charged council members to return to their respective wards and local government areas and build effective grassroots structures beginning from the polling-unit level, stressing that electoral success would ultimately depend on the strength of the party’s presence at the grassroots.
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated members, the Director-General of the Campaign Council, Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, assured Governor Otti that the council would work diligently to meet and exceed expectations.
Agwu pledged to deploy the collective experience, commitment and organisational capacity of members toward securing victory for the Labour Party, describing the assignment as a call to service to the people of Abia.
He stressed that the campaign was not about individuals but about consolidating the achievements of the Otti administration and building a stronger future for the state.
The newly inaugurated Labour Party Campaign Council is chaired by Governor Alex Otti, with Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu serving as Vice Chairman.
The Director-General is Rt. Hon. Agwu U. Agwu, while Dr. Eric Egwuibe serves as Director of Finance. Dr. Chibuzor Obiesili is Director of Strategy/Planning, Mr. Kelechi Nwaiwu, SAN, is Director of Legal, and Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka is Director of Publicity.
Other State Directors are Dr. Christian Anokwuru, Director of Special Duties; AIG Arungwa Nwazue (Rtd.), Director of Security; Mrs. Helen Ego Okorie, Director of Women Affairs; and Mr. Chizaram Philip Akpulonu, Director of Youth Affairs.
The zonal coordination structure has Prof. Udochukwu Ogbonna as Coordinator for Abia Central, Chief Emeka Charles Kalu for Abia North, and Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike for Abia South.
The State Constituency Coordinators are:
Ikwuano: Mr. Innocent Eleogu
Isiala Ngwa North: Dr. Obioma Orji
Isiala Ngwa South: Hon. Dannie Ubani
Osisioma North: Mr. Emmanuel Maduforo Ufomba
Osisioma South: Mr. Innocent Enyinnaya Anyanwu
Umuahia Central: Col. Emeka Chilaka (Rtd.)
Umuahia East: Chief Okey Onyemuwa
Umuahia North: Dr. Aham Uko
Umuahia South: Hon. Jerry Uzosike
Bende South: Mr. Ikerionwu Okarimie
Bende North: Mr. Silas Eke
Isuikwuato: Mr. Emmanuel Okoronkwo
Ohafia North: Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi
Ohafia South: Mr. Kalu Ukwu Uduma
Umunneochi: Mr. Kingsley C. Uchechukwu
Aba Central: Chief Shaka Dimgba Obasi
Aba North: Mr. George Ezikpe Okeiyi
Aba South: Mr. Chidi Onyendi
Obingwa East: Mr. Ndubisi Obioha Christopher
Obingwa West: Mr. Jap Nnamdi Onwunali
Ugwunagbo: Dr. Temple Nwosu
Ukwa East: Hon. Paul Taribo
Ukwa West: Hon. Ralph Egbu
Arochukwu: Chief Okezie Azuma
With the inauguration, the Labour Party’s 2027 campaign machinery in Abia now has a formal state-level structure spanning the three senatorial zones and the various state constituencies, with the Governor directing the team to take the camp
aign message to the grassroots and build a broad-based mobilisation network ahead of the elections.