NEWS
ASTOPU, Other Transport Unions Rally for Massive Voter Registration as Abia Labour Party Intensifies CVR Sensitization
In a renewed drive to boost democratic participation across Abia State, the Abia State Chapter of the Labour Party on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, held a strategic engagement with key transport unions, artisan groups, and organized associations as part of its ongoing sensitization campaign on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
The high-level interactive session, held at the Labour Party State Headquarters in Umuahia, brought together major stakeholders including the Leadership of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), Abia State Motorcycle Operators Union (ASMOPU), the Nigerian Association of Technicians (Automobile), Amalgamated Tyre Union, Ovom Mechanic Cluster, and several other artisan and transport-based associations.
The meeting, convened in collaboration with the Abia State Government, underscored the administration’s commitment under Governor Alex Otti to sustained grassroots engagement, civic awareness, and broader inclusion in democratic processes across the state.
Speaking at the engagement, Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu (FNSE) reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to working closely with union bodies, describing them as critical drivers of grassroots mobilization and socio-economic stability. He noted that the ongoing voter registration exercise presents a strategic opportunity for eligible residents to actively position themselves for future electoral participation.
He urged all participating unions, particularly transport operators and artisans who interface daily with large segments of the population, to intensify internal sensitization and ensure that members are properly registered within the stipulated timeframe. He further emphasized that the mobilisation effort should extend beyond union structures to families, communities, and market groups in order to maximize coverage.
The Abia State Labour Party Chairman, Hon. Peter Azubuike, also addressed the gathering, stressing that the Continuous Voter Registration exercise remains central to strengthening democratic participation in the state. He described the Permanent Voter Card (PVC) as the most powerful tool available to citizens in shaping governance and sustaining ongoing reforms.
He commended the leadership and members of ASTOPU and other unions for their consistent partnership with government programmes, describing them as indispensable stakeholders in the ongoing transformation agenda in Abia State.
Also speaking, the Aba area Coordinator of Abia State Harmonized Taskforce, Chief Uche Wogu, highlighted the renewed public confidence in governance under Governor Alex Otti, noting that improved service delivery and visible infrastructure development have reawakened civic responsibility among residents. He cautioned against voter apathy and warned citizens to resist vote-buying, urging them to prioritize long-term collective development over short-term inducements.
Participants at the meeting collectively agreed on the need for intensified awareness campaigns within their respective unions, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that eligible members complete their voter registration ahead of the closing deadline.
The Labour Party leadership reiterated its commitment to sustained grassroots mobilisation across all 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State, with ASTOPU and other transport and artisan unions expected to play a central role in driving voter awareness, registration turnout, and civic education ahead of the 2027 g
eneral elections.