2027: Tricycles operators holds really, endorses Otti
Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
Members of the Abia State Tricycles Operators Union (ASTOPU), Umuahia Zone, have held a solidarity march in support of the re-election of Governor Alex Otti, endorsing him as their sole candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
The union members made their position known on Friday during a solidarity march that terminated at Government House in Umuahia, where they expressed their support for the governor and his administration.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of ASTOPU, Umuahia Zone, Comrade Chinweotito Godson Appolos, said the endorsement was motivated by the achievements of the Otti’s administration in road infrastructure, healthcare, education, security and other critical sectors.
Appolos said, “Our members had witnessed improvements in governance under the present administration, particularly in road construction and rehabilitation, which has eased our transportation operations and reduced the cost of maintaining our tricycles.
“Unlike in the past when poor road conditions frequently forced us to take our tricycles to mechanics for repairs, the improved road network had reduced such challenges”.
The ASTOPU chairman assured the Governor that the union’s thousands of members would support his re-election bid and vote for him and other Labour Party candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Responding, Governor Alex Otti thanked the union members for their solidarity and support for his administration.
The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, recalled that poor road conditions had previously compelled transport operators and other residents to protest and block roads to express their grievances.
“Before now, we used to see people like you protesting and blocking the roads because of the bad roads.
“Within three years, the Alex Otti-led government has wiped out the tears of Ndị Abia,” he stated.
Otti urged the ASTOPU members and other residents of the state to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had commenced PVC distribution across the country, adding that collecting PVCs is a proof that one wants to support the re-election.
“Go and pick your PVC as collection of PVCs have started.
“The best way to demonstrate that you are with Alex Otti is to go and pick your PVC,” he stated.
The Governor challenged the people not to be misled by politicians who, failed to deliver comparable results during their years in power.
He maintained that the achievements recorded by his administration within three years demonstrated its commitment to the development of Abia State, urging the electorate to assess political leaders based on their performance and contributions to the welfare of the people.
Contributing, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr Obiọma Nwogbe commended the trycycle operators for their decision to continue to support the Governor, and his reelection bid.
He described the trycycle operators as the life wire of the transport ecosystem, saying that, they are the ones that take the people to their homes.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Isaac Chimezie Ukaegbu and other top government officials were present at the event.