The leadership of the Abia State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has expressed optimism that Governor Alex Otti will be overwhelmingly re-elected come 2027.
This is as it commended the high level of traders’ participation in the just-concluded Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise.
It will be recalled that the CVR exercise which began on August 18, 2025, across the country, and which was originally scheduled to end on July 10, 2026, was, however, extended to July 24, 2026.
Speaking after its sensitisation, mobilisation and assessment tour of over 35 markets in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, expressed satisfaction with the number of traders who were able to register and obtain their permanent voters cards (PVC)s during the INEC’s CVR exercise.
The ASMATA leadership, which had embarked on the tour to ascertain the compliance level of traders with CVR and Labour Party (LP) e-membership registration exercises, noted that the overwhelming number of traders that availed themselves of the opportunity is an indication that Governor Otti will be returned after 2027 to continue his good works in the state.
The ASMATA President-General emphasised that the unprecedented level of enthusiasm demonstrated by the traders during the tour of the markets has shown that they are manifestly grateful for the massive infrastructural renewal projects and significant progress which have been recorded in the state within the last three years of the Otti administration.
“The ASMATA leadership is very much happy with the high level of interest shown by traders in the state in registering and obtaining their PVCs and the Labour Party (LP) e-membership cards.
“It is an indication that the traders are truly committed to the task of returning our God-sent and performing governor back in 2027. At the beginning of the exercise, we made a passionate appeal for the traders to come out en masse and register and obtain their PVCs.
“We are glad to say that after our tour of the markets, we are very much impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment displayed by the traders throughout the exercise.
“We are equally satisfied with the significant number of traders that are now having their PVCs,” Udeigbo stated.
He, however, emphasised that the battle to ensure that Abia’s wheels of progress and development are not halted after 2027 has just begun.
The ASMATA president-general underscored the urgent need for traders and all eligible voters in the state to ensure that they are also fully active before and during the election.
Chief Udeigbo, particularly, warned against any acts of complacency by traders and Abia voters, noting that the only way to ensure that the state does not return back to its dark days is for the people to come out en masse and vote during the elections proper.
“Our message to our people, both traders and other eligible voters, is that they should not go to sleep.
“It is a common saying that rats do not eat the fish of someone awake. Our message is that people should get ready to come out in large numbers on the days of elections and cast their votes.
“Not just cast their votes, they should guard and protect their votes. Abia State is witnessing growth and development today because of votes counted in 2023. And the only way to ensure that the state continues on the path of progress is for the electorate to fully vote and protect their votes,” Udeigbo added.
The ASMATA President-General disclosed that in no distant time, traders in the state will be holding a mega rally during which the Governor will be formally adopted as the consensus candidate ahead of the polls.
While appreciating the cooperation, understanding and cordial working relationship between the ASMATA and the various markets’ leadership, Chief Udeigbo urged them to continue to work in harmony and carry along all shields of opinions in the overall interests of peace and stability of the state.
