CHARLES OGUGBUAJA, Ph.D.
Yesterday, members of 15 unions with one central umbrella, the Frontline Container Unloaders Association (FCUA), in their thousands, freely exercised their love for His Excellency, Gov Alex Chioma Otti, in the two Local Government areas (LGAs), in Aba, commercial hub of Abia State.
The symbolic outing in the Enyimba city was led by the duo of the President of Frontline Container Unloaders Association, Aba, Mr Ifeanyi Sylvester Nwaeboh; and the General Secretary of the association, Comrade Francis Azubuike. They crowned it with the endorsement of Gov Otti as the sole candidate, urging others in other political platforms to step down.
The two LGAs they went round singing praises to God and Gov Otti, were Aba South and Aba North. The mega solidarity rally was massive. It took the container unloaders renewed zeal as they moved on the streets and markets in Aba, responded with applause by the cheering residents, businessmen and onlookers. Others joined the supporters in expressing their acceptability, compassion and unflinching loyalty for the Chief Executive of the state
The outing was not ordinary. It was not like the usual stage – managed street rallies for superficial leaders.
It was spontaneous. Their mission, as I gathered, was to let Gov Otti know that they appreciated the propensity of infrastructure put in place in several areas in Aba.
More importantly, the reconstructed major roads, such as the Port Harcourt, Ohanku, Omuma, Ngwa, Obiora, and other roads, which are enhancing their access to ply the roads easily; evacuate and bring in their products seamlessly via motorable roads on that corridor.
The road arteries, according to them, had been in the state of disrepair in the last 24 years previous administrations were in charge.
The duo, leading the solidarity outing, said they were 100 per cent behind the Abia Chief Executive, showing the world that they were proud of his achievements in three years in office, urging that he should be reelected to do more job for Abians and residents, even those visiting the state for any business.
The members of the unions warned that they would resist any attempt to truncate the wish of the electorate, noting that they would protect the votes firmly in 2027 governorship election.
Also, they warned against importing thugs into the city before, during and after the voting period as they would confront such act.
They used the opportunity to thank Gov Otti for appointing Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, his Chief Press Secretary, whom they noted, had been a typical “Aba boy,” for a long time.
Azubuike said, “today’s rally is to show our solidarity to the Executive Governor, Dr. Alex Otti by the 15 unions that make up of front-liners container unloaders in Aba, the Enyimba city and the commercial nerve center of the State.
“Today, the first in the history of container unloaders, we are staging a mega-rally in support of a government in Abia State. We decided to show appreciation to Governor Otti for the works he has done in terms of road infrastructure, clean environment, free public education, subsidized transport fares, market development, and improved security across the State
“For 24 years, Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road, Omuma Road, All Roads across Asa Road up to Eziukwu Road remained un-motorable. Our People suffered, abandoned their businesses and their properties which affected our source of livelihood in Aba but when Dr. Alex Otti came, within a space of two years, those challenges became history and we are happy.”
He continued: “We have an appointee of the Governor, Chief Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor who has been working with us to give us a voice as critical stakeholders in the Aba business community and local security architecture. Ukoha has been there for us, bringing us closer to support the Government and giving us all kinds of support.
“As the President has said it, come 2027, we are committed to continue supporting and mobilizing all our members to vote for Governor Otti. We will also deploy our members across the zones in Aba North and south to protect the votes at the polling units and collation centres in Aba. We will resist any attempt to hijack the process including giving imported thugs the Aba treatment,” Azubuike clarified.
Speaking at Aba South Local Government headquarters, the Mayor of Aba South LGA, Hon. Obialor Anyanwu, described the unloaders as critical part of the business community in Aba, appreciating them for endorsing Gov Otti, thanking them for their sustained support for a very long time.
“What you’ve done today is just telling people, one, to go get their PVCs. Then get ready for election. Election is not done on the social media. There is no polling units on Facebook, WhatsApp or Twitter. Polling units are here.
“You are a part of the critical point that ensures that votes count in Aba. Since 2015 that I’m aware, 2019 and 2023. You’ve been playing critical roles during election and we don’t take it lightly,” he stressed.
Continuing, the LGA boss maintained, “With the new Abia vision, we cannot go back. And it is with our voters’ card and the support of people like you, that we can return and sustain the momentum of the new vision of the new Abia. We cannot go back to Egypt.
“Three years is better than 24 years and that three years need to be sustained. Four plus four, that is what we stand for,” the Mayor stated.
The Chairman of the Ngwa Road Market Union, Munachim Ejim, and the Chairman of Ekeoha Shopping Centre Market, Mr. Emeka Okeke had affirmed that the entire traders in the markets had endorsed Gov Otti for 2027 election, informing that they were sensitizing their members to register in order to obtain their voters’ card in preparation to re-elect the Governor in 2027.
The duo lamented what they experienced in the past, especially the sufferings their customers encountered in accessing their shops because of bad roads, thanking God for sending Gov Otti to use about two years, in the first instance, to work on the roads to become motorable.
They appreciated the numerous projects both completed and on going, being carried out by the governor at every nook and cranny of the state.
From all indications, the coast is now clear that Gov Otti is having a smooth electoral sale, even better than he garnered in 2023.
It can only be the grace of God for all the achievements and acknowledgements by the people. A symbiotic thing, I should better, say.
Dr. Ogugbuaja, an advocate of good governance, leadership, and a deep supporter of good governance in Abia State, holds a B.Sc. (Mass Comm), an M.Sc. (Mass Comm), an M.Sc. (International Affairs & Diplomacy), a Ph.D. (Mass Comm). a PGDE, a Certified Teacher (TRCN), a Dip. (Desktop & Graphics), a Cert.(Biz Mgt. & Enterpr), a Cert.(Population & Demography), & a Cert.(Printing).
