By Ime Silas
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Amb. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, has called on voters in Abia State to vote massively for all candidates of the Labour Party in the 2027 general elections, saying that coordinated representation at both federal and state levels is critical to sustaining the development strides of Governor Alex Chioma Otti.
Okereke made the call during a solidarity roadshow held in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, where he led thousands of party faithful and supporters in a rally in support of Governor Alex Otti and other Labour Party candidates.
The roadshow, which shut down major streets in Arochukwu, witnessed a large turnout of enthusiastic supporters, youths, women and elders who marched with banners, placards, posters and other campaign materials expressing solidarity with the Labour Party and the Abia State Government. Chants of support for Governor Otti rented the air as the crowd moved through the ancient kingdom.
Addressing supporters during the rally, Amb. Okereke said the exercise was organized primarily to appreciate Governor Otti for what he described as his transformational leadership and unprecedented development efforts in Abia State.
According to him, Abia State has become a reference point for good governance in Nigeria under Governor Otti, attracting attention from within and outside the country because of visible changes in infrastructure, fiscal discipline and service delivery.
He said the roadshow was also intended to demonstrate solidarity with Otti, whom he described as the national leader of the Labour Party and a key figure in the party’s efforts to rebuild, reposition and strengthen its political structure ahead of 2027.
“The rally is to appreciate Governor Alex Otti for his development efforts in Abia State. Today, Abia is being talked about everywhere because something positive is happening here,” Okereke said.
Beyond Governor Otti, the LP presidential candidate used the occasion to mobilize support for other candidates of the party in the state, including the party’s candidate for Abia North Senatorial District, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, the candidate for Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa, the candidate for Arochukwu State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okoro, and other Labour Party candidates for the National and State Assemblies.
Okereke said the 2027 election should be seen as a coordinated ballot, urging supporters not to stop at voting for the governorship but to ensure total victory for the Labour Party across all elective positions.
Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, the presidential hopeful said his aspiration is rooted in years of studying governance systems and designing institutional frameworks.
“I have spent years studying systems and designing systems and governance architecture, supporting institutional design and framework,” he said, explaining that his motivation for seeking the presidency is to show how governance can be approached differently.
He noted that his campaign is centred on demonstrating a new model of leadership that directly improves the socio-economic conditions of citizens, drawing inspiration from what he called Governor Otti’s leadership excellence and example.
Okereke argued that democracy must go beyond the conduct of elections and must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the people.
“Democracy must deliver happiness to the Nigerian people. Democracy must improve the lives of people,” he stressed.
He maintained that under Governor Otti, Abia State has witnessed a remarkable leap in development indices, noting that the administration has raised the happiness index and human development index of Abians from zero to 98 percent.
The Labour presidential candidate further called on Nigerians to take greater interest in political participation, noting that elected representatives at the federal, state and local government levels take decisions that affect the daily lives of citizens.
He specifically encouraged eligible Nigerians to get involved in the electoral process and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, where necessary, saying political participation should not be left to a few individuals.
“Citizens should have a voice in determining who represents them. Political participation should not be left to a small group of people,” he said.
Linking politics to economic development, Okereke argued that the political environment determines the climate for economic growth and prosperity, and therefore Nigerians must elect credible leaders who will create enabling conditions for businesses and livelihoods.
A major thrust of his message in Arochukwu was the need for Labour Party supporters to vote across the entire ballot in 2027.
According to him, supporting a governor without supporting legislators from the same political platform could create legislative bottlenecks and make it difficult to implement a consistent and coherent development programme.
“If Abians want to sustain what they consider positive developments under Governor Otti, they should also consider supporting other Labour Party candidates seeking seats in the National Assembly and Abia State House of Assembly. Go all the way with Labour Party candidates,” he urged.
He said political representation at different levels should work together as a team rather than operate as disconnected components working at cross-purposes.
The Labour Party, with Governor Otti at the centre of its political structure in Abia, has been positioning itself for a strong outing in 2027. Okereke said his policy thrust, if elected president, would focus on making Nigeria function as a true federation, ensuring a working local government system, introduction of zero-based budgeting technique, full reset of Nigeria’s institutional governance approach anchored on the Nigerians First Vision, youth and women development through inclusion and participatory governance, and expansion of Nigeria’s definition of Federal Character away from just ethnicity to diversity to include youth, women and Persons With Disabilities.
He also promised to end palliative and distributive economy and enthrone a fully productive economy.
Meanwhile, the Traditional Ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro IX, who received the presidential candidate, prayed for him and wished him well in his campaign.
The monarch urged the candidate to uphold due process and respect for the rule of law throughout the campaign, stressing the importance of conducting himself in a manner that would not undermine the dignity, values and respect cherished by the people of Arochukwu. He further advised that his actions and conduct should reflect the high regard in which the Arochukwu people hold their traditional institutions, customs and community.
