NEWS
ASTOPU INAUGURATES LABOUR PARTY STRUCTURES ACROSS ITS 80 UNITS IN ABA, DECLARES TOTAL SUPPORT FOR GOV. ALEX OTTI’S 2027 RE-ELECTION
By @TheKELVINATOR, The Eyes Opener News | October 29, 2026
The Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Aba Zone, has inaugurated Labour Party administrative structures across its 80 operational units in Aba, intensifying grassroots mobilisation and declaring unwavering support for the re-election of Governor Alex Chioma Otti in 2027.
The inauguration, held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at the Priscilla Otti Pavilion of Aba Town Hall, the headquarters of Aba South Local Government Area, brought together key political leaders, government officials, transport stakeholders and the leadership of ASTOPU to strengthen the Labour Party’s organisational presence among tricycle operators across the commercial city.
The 80 operational units were officially inaugurated by the Abia State Labour Party Chairman, Hon. Peter Chigozie Azubuike, who charged the operators to sustain the political momentum that brought the Labour Party to power in Abia State and intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Azubuike outlined three key expectations of Governor Otti from tricycle operators in Aba, emphasising the need for visible political commitment, sustained grassroots mobilisation and active participation in the Labour Party’s re-election campaign.
He particularly urged the operators to begin displaying Labour Party hand flags as a symbol of their loyalty, unity and determination to secure victory for the party in the forthcoming elections.
The Labour Party chairman recalled the years of public frustration over poor governance in Abia State, maintaining that the emergence of the Labour Party under Governor Otti marked a turning point in the state’s political and developmental trajectory.
Reflecting on Aba’s transformation, Hon. Azubuike highlighted the improvements in environmental sanitation, infrastructure and urban management, noting that the commercial hub has witnessed significant changes under the current administration.
He called on ASTOPU leaders and members to consolidate the gains of the Otti administration by sustaining the Labour Party’s grassroots presence, mobilising eligible voters and ensuring that the party’s political momentum remains strong across Aba.
Hon. Azubuike further assured the inaugurated executives that each of the 12 executive members across the 80 operational units would be issued a certificate, formally recognising their positions and responsibilities within the party’s administrative structure. The move is expected to strengthen the party’s organisational framework, promote accountability and reinforce the commitment of the newly inaugurated executives to grassroots mobilisation.
Also speaking, the Abia State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukeagbu, highlighted the strategic importance of the transport sector to the state’s development, identifying tricycle operators and other transport service providers as major beneficiaries of the Otti administration’s road infrastructure programme.
According to the commissioner, the ongoing construction and reconstruction of roads across Abia have improved transportation conditions and reduced the operational difficulties previously experienced by commercial transport operators.
He explained that improved road conditions have helped reduce the frequency of vehicle breakdowns and visits to mechanics, enabling tricycle operators to save more money on maintenance and devote greater resources to their families and other essential needs.
Hon. Ukeagbu further disclosed that the transport sector plays a leading role in the state’s revenue generation, underscoring its economic significance and the importance the Otti administration attaches to transport operators.
He urged commercial transport workers across the state to reciprocate the government’s efforts by supporting Governor Otti and other Labour Party candidates in the 2027 elections.
The commissioner also emphasised the importance of protecting the electoral mandate through active participation in the democratic process, calling on operators to turn out in large numbers on election day, cast their votes and safeguard their votes in accordance with the law.
Earlier, the Chairman of ASTOPU Aba Zone, Comrade Victor Azubuike, described the inauguration as a significant demonstration of solidarity with the Otti administration and a clear expression of the political position of tricycle operators in Aba ahead of the 2027 elections.
Comrade Azubuike said the union was determined to sustain its support for Governor Otti’s administration, stressing that the inauguration of the 80 Labour Party administrative structures was designed to strengthen coordination, improve communication and enhance grassroots mobilisation among members.
He reaffirmed the commitment of ASTOPU Aba Zone to the governor’s re-election bid, declaring that the union remained resolute in its decision to support Governor Otti for a second term.
The inauguration also highlighted the growing importance of organised transport unions in grassroots political mobilisation, particularly in Aba, where tricycle operators provide a critical link between residential communities, markets, commercial centres and major transport routes.
With their extensive daily contact with residents and commuters, the operators occupy a strategic position in community engagement and political outreach, making the establishment of coordinated administrative structures across the 80 operational units a significant development for the Labour Party’s mobilisation efforts in the city.
The event was attended by the Mayor of Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Obialor Denis Anyanwu; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr. Obioma Rueben Nwogbe; the Coordinator of the Abia State Harmonised Task Force, Aba Zone, Chief Uche Wogu; members of the Labour Party State Working Committee; ASTOPU Umuahia Zone executives; and other transport stakeholders.
The inauguration concluded with a renewed call for unity, grassroots participation and sustained political engagement as the Labour Party and its supporters prepare for the 2027 elections, with ASTOPU Aba Zone positioning its 80 operational units as key structures for advan
cing the party’s mobilisation campaign.