NEWS
EZIUKWU ROAD MARKET ELDERS DONATE TWO SIENNA VEHICLES TO BACK OTTI’S 2027 RE-ELECTION BID, AS GOV. ASSURES MARKET LEADERS OF BUSINESS-FRIENDLY REDEVELOPMENT
…as Traders Express Gratitude for Aba’s Transformation
The elders and traders of Eziukwu Road Market, Aba, popularly known as Cemetery Market, have demonstrated their support for the second-term ambition of Abia State Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, with the donation of two Sienna vehicles to support his re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The donation, which underscores the market leaders’ appreciation of the Otti administration’s interventions in Aba and across Abia State, was made on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when the executive members of the Eziukwu Road Market Association, led by their Leader, Chief Greg Okafor, popularly known as Owelle, paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at his office.
Presenting the vehicles on behalf of the association, Ambassador Mike Okoro said the gesture was a demonstration of the traders’ gratitude for the administration’s efforts to improve the business environment, restore order and reposition Aba for greater commercial activities.
He explained that the market leaders considered the donation a practical expression of their appreciation for the Governor’s leadership and their determination to support his second-term ambition, particularly in view of the administration’s approach to addressing challenges affecting traders and business owners.
Ambassador Okoro singled out the proposed redevelopment of Eziukwu Road Market as one of the major developments that had strengthened the confidence of the traders in the government. According to him, the administration’s assurances that the project would be carefully planned and implemented, with due consideration for the welfare of traders, had reassured the market community that their businesses and livelihoods would not be sacrificed in the pursuit of urban renewal.
He noted that the Governor’s commitment to a business-friendly redevelopment process had generated considerable excitement among traders, many of whom were eager to accompany the delegation to personally express their appreciation to the State Government.
“We came to say thank you very much because you saved a lot of lives,” Okoro said, commending Governor Otti for interventions he described as instrumental in protecting traders, their businesses and their sources of livelihood.
The market representative also applauded the administration’s road construction and rehabilitation projects across the state, noting that improved infrastructure and a renewed commitment to urban development were important to the survival and expansion of commercial activities in Aba.
He further assured the Governor that the traders had resolved to support his re-election, expressing confidence that their collective commitment would translate into votes for Dr. Otti in the 2027 governorship election.
Receiving the vehicles, Governor Otti expressed appreciation to the Eziukwu Road Market Association executives for the visit, the gifts and their show of confidence in his administration.
The Governor assured the market leaders that his government would continue to pursue policies and projects aimed at creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, while sustaining efforts to restore Aba’s position as one of Nigeria’s leading commercial centres.
He emphasised that the administration remained committed to improving public order, reclaiming degraded public spaces and rebuilding the confidence of residents, traders and investors in the state.
According to the Governor, the commitment to rebuilding Abia had remained consistent since his assumption of office in 2023, with the government focused on reversing years of deterioration, improving infrastructure and restoring public confidence through deliberate and sustained interventions.
Dr. Otti, however, attributed the progress recorded by his administration to the resilience of Abia people and the grace of God, rather than presenting the achievements as a personal accomplishment.
The Governor reiterated that the redevelopment of Eziukwu Road Market would be undertaken in phases, stressing that the government understood the importance of the market to the livelihoods of thousands of traders and the wider economy of Aba.
He explained that the phased approach was intended to allow the government to modernise the market while minimising disruptions to commercial activities and protecting the economic interests of those who depend on it for their daily income.
The Governor maintained that his administration was not interested in imposing unnecessary hardship on traders but was determined to provide a more organised, functional and conducive business environment that would enable them to expand their enterprises and improve their livelihoods.
“We are not here to inflict injury on anybody; we are here to support you and your business so that you can do better,” Gov. Otti stated.
The assurance reinforces the administration’s position that urban renewal and infrastructure development must be pursued alongside consideration for the people whose businesses and livelihoods are directly affected by such projects.
For the traders of Eziukwu Road Market, the donation of the two Sienna vehicles represents both an expression of appreciation for the government’s interventions and a declaration of political support ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the Otti administration continues its drive to transform Aba and other parts of Abia State, the proposed redevelopment of Cemetery Market is expected to remain an important issue for traders seeking improved facilities, better organisation and a business environment capable of supporting sustainable growth.
The engagement also highlighted the importance of dialogue between government and market stakeholders in ensuring that development projects achieve their intended objectives without unnecessarily disrupting commercial activities.
With the Governor reaffirming his commitment to a phased, trader-conscious redevelopment plan, the meeting ended on a note of renewed engagement between the State Government and the Eziukwu Road Market leadership, with the traders expressing their readiness to support the administration’s vision for a more prospe
rous and commercially vibrant Abia State.