Abia State Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has reaffirmed Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s commitment to addressing community concerns, clearing inherited obligations and sustaining infrastructure development, assuring the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s Wing in Ohafia Local Government Area that the issues raised during their visit would receive appropriate attention.
Emetu gave the assurance yesterday at his residence in Ohafia during a solidarity visit by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s Wing, Ohafia LGA Chapter, led by Mrs. Ngozi Onyema Agbai. The delegation comprised women representing the three clans in Ohafia LGA.
In separate speeches, the leaders of the three clans—Mrs. Patience Kalu of Abiriba, Mrs. Uzunma Kalu Mba of Nkporo, and Mrs. Orie Agwu Kalu of Ohafia—commended Governor Otti for his administration’s interventions in road infrastructure, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and teacher recruitment.
The women also expressed appreciation to the Governor for appointing their son, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Labour Party State Campaign Council.
They appealed to the state government to address the rising incidence of drug abuse among youths, deploy more teachers to schools in Ohafia LGA, settle outstanding salary arrears owed to some staff of the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), and accelerate construction work on major roads in the area.
Responding, Emetu thanked the women for the solidarity visit and assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to the appropriate authorities for action.
He cited Governor Otti’s record of keeping promises to the people, declaring that the Governor’s word had remained a dependable measure of his administration’s commitment to governance.
“At a point in a man’s life, the word of his mouth becomes more authentic than his signature. That is the case with our dependable Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR,” Emetu said.
Addressing the outstanding salary arrears owed to some SEMB staff, the Deputy Governor said the situation was inconsistent with the character of the present administration. He assured the women that he would formally present the matter for appropriate attention.
Emetu further disclosed that the Abia State Government had paid more than 80 per cent of the over ₦151 billion in inherited debts, providing an update on the administration’s efforts to address financial obligations inherited from previous governments.
On gratuity payments, he stated that eligible retirees covering the period from 2001 to 2010 had been paid. He explained that the next phase would prioritise the next of kin of deceased beneficiaries within the same period before the government moves to another category.
Turning to road infrastructure, Emetu disclosed that several roads in Ohafia LGA had been included in the 2027 budget. The projects include the Nkwebi–Abiriba Road and the inter-state Nkporo–Oso Road, which links Abia and Ebonyi States, among other roads earmarked for the area.
The Deputy Governor urged the women to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, calling on them to support Labour Party candidates seeking election into the National Assembly, the Abia State governorship and the Abia State House of Assembly.
“I need the full support of every mother and every woman in Ohafia LGA in making sure that all Labour Party candidates are voted for massively come 2027,” he said.
Earlier, Mrs. Ngozi Onyema Agbai commended Emetu for his humanitarian disposition and interventions in community development, particularly the provision of potable water, construction of modern toilet facilities and other projects benefiting communities across the area.
Agbai pledged the unwavering support of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Women’s Wing, Ohafia LGA Chapter, for the Otti-led administration. She also promised to mobilise women across the local government area to secure grassroots support for Labour Party candidates in the 2027 elections.
The visit, according to the statement issued by Sir Cyril Chukwudi Eke Mba, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Abia State, took place on October 12, 2026.
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