Abia Strengthens Grassroots Engagement Through Meeting With Transport And Artisan Groups
The Abia State Government has continued its grassroots engagement efforts with a strategic stakeholders’ meeting involving transport union leaders and artisan groups aimed at promoting voter awareness and civic participation across the state.
The meeting,held at the Labour Party State Secretariat in Umuahia on the directive of Governor Alex Otti, brought together executive members of major transport and artisan associations, including ASTOPU (Keke), ASMOPO (Okada), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Nigerian Association of Automobile Technicians, the Amalgamated Tyre Union, the Ovom Mechanic Cluster, and other allied
groups.
The engagement was facilitated by Chief Uche Wogu of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force, Labour Party State Chairman Peter Azubuike, and the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba.
Addressing participants, Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu thanked the unions for their continued support and described the gathering as part of the administration’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders across the state.
He stressed the importance of collaboration and inclusiveness in governance, noting that meaningful development can only be achieved through active partnerships between government and citizens. Emetu encouraged the unions to deepen their mobilisation efforts and ensure that members are adequately registered and captured within their various structures.
The Deputy Governor also urged the groups to extend voter awareness campaigns beyond their membership to families, communities, markets, and other grassroots
constituencies.
Speaking on voter participation, Peter Azubuike linked the mobilisation drive to the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, emphasizing that possession of a Permanent Voter Card (PVC) remains essential for participation in elections.
He described the Labour Party as a platform committed to protecting the interests of workers and transport operators, while highlighting the administration’s achievements in road infrastructure and rural accessibility. Azubuike urged stakeholders to take ownership of the mobilisation process and encourage broad participation in civic activities.
Also speaking, Chief Uche Wogu said the administration’s development efforts have been strengthened by cooperation between government and citizens. He noted that the state has embraced a governance model anchored on community partnership and collective responsibility.
Wogu encouraged union leaders to intensify membership drives and voter awareness efforts, stressing the need to carry along families, traders, community members, and other stakeholders.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Abia State Chapter, Comrade Azodu Chukwuma, popularly known as China, called for the implementation of resolutions reached at the meeting.
He urged union chairmen to begin mobilisation activities immediately and commended the Otti administration for improvements in road infrastructure across the state, noting that transport operators have benefited from enhanced road connectivity.
According to the state government, the engagement forms part of a broader strategy aimed at deepening civic participation, strengthening grassroots structures, and promoting inclusive governance in Abia State.
Amah Ijeoma
FIC Correspondent office of the Deputy Governor
12/6/2026
