The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, FNSE, has called on women and residents of Amaekpu Ohafia to sustain their support for Governor Alex Chioma Otti and Labour Party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Emetu made the call on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the 2026 Annual Home Meeting of the Amaekpu Community Women Council, also known as Nzuko Inyom Amaekpu, held at the Ohafia Girls Model Secondary School, Amaekpu Ohafia.
The meeting, themed “Widow/Youth Empowerment – Reclaiming the Future,” brought together women, youths, widows, traditional rulers, political leaders and other members of the community for discussions and empowerment activities.
Speaking at the gathering, Emetu highlighted what he described as some of the development interventions recorded in Amaekpu under the Otti administration, including the construction and paving of Ofali Road, rehabilitation of Ifuruaku Road and the establishment and equipping of a Primary Healthcare Centre at Ugwuorji.
According to the Deputy Governor, the healthcare facility would improve access to basic medical services for residents, particularly women, children, elderly people and other vulnerable members of the community.
“The establishment and equipping of the Primary Healthcare Centre at Ugwuorji is a clear demonstration that the development agenda of the Otti administration goes beyond physical infrastructure. It is about investing in the health, welfare and overall wellbeing of our people,” Emetu said.
He also announced that the Ebem electricity sub-station had been energised, explaining that pre-distribution measures were being put in place before power would be safely distributed to the benefiting communities.
Emetu subsequently appealed to the people to support what he described as continuity in Abia’s development trajectory, listing Governor Otti, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa and Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke (Etiokwe) among the Labour Party candidates he urged residents to support in 2027.
“What we are asking from our people is continuity. We must support candidates who will continue this development trajectory so that the gains we are witnessing today will be sustained and extended to every community across Abia North and the State.”
The Deputy Governor also used the occasion to highlight the Otti administration’s position on outstanding salary, pension and gratuity obligations, saying previous administrations left arrears which the current government had been addressing.
He said the administration had cleared outstanding salary and pension backlogs and paid gratuities covering periods from 2001 to 2010, with another batch of payments expected.
Emetu urged residents not to be misled by what he referred to as the “Pharaohs of Egypt” and remnants of previous administrations, while expressing appreciation to the Amaekpu community for its support.
Earlier, the Mother of the Day, Mrs. Adaeze Chidera Emetu, wife of the Deputy Governor, commended the Amaekpu women and Council of Chiefs for organising an event focused on widows and youths.
She described women as an important pillar of society and said empowering young people amounted to investing in the future of the community.
Mrs. Emetu also encouraged the women to preserve unity and community values while urging support for Governor Otti, his deputy and other Labour Party candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Regent Ezieogo of Amaekpu Ohafia, His Royal Majesty Engr. Ezieogo Awa Nwankwo Mba, who was the Special Guest of Honour, commended the organisers for choosing a theme centred on widows and youths.
He said August meetings provided an opportunity for reflection, unity and community engagement, adding that empowering widows and investing in young people were important to the future of Amaekpu.
The host, Ezinne Chief Mrs. May A. Nwosu-Mba, said the meeting was designed to restore hope, build capacity and reassure widows and youths of the community’s support.
She encouraged beneficiaries to take advantage of the empowerment opportunities and apply the knowledge acquired towards building sustainable livelihoods.
The programme also featured a march-past by women representing the 17 compounds in Amaekpu, drama presentations, a local cuisine competition, health talks and sensitisation on substance abuse.
The health session was led by the Supervisory Councillor for Health, Evang. Chidinma Ume, while officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) handled the substance-abuse awareness session.
Among those who attended were Ugwu Ezie Nnenna Udonsi, wife of the Udumeze of Ohafia; Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha (Bourdex), Labour Party senatorial candidate for Abia North; Chief Mrs. Orieji Okwara Emele, representing Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; representatives of Hon. Kalu Mba Nwoke (Etiokwe); the Mayor of Ohafia Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Eleanya Ojuu Kalu; and other sons, daughters and well-wishers of Amaekpu Ohafia.
Copyright Warning!
Disclaimer
Just to let you know, comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of OHAFIATV News or any employee thereof. Also, every opinion expressed in any article is strictly that of the author(s), except where otherwise stated.
