Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, swore in the 17 newly elected local government chairmen on Monday, urging them to adopt an “Abia first” approach to drive socio-economic transformation within their respective local government areas.
The newly inaugurated chairmen include:
- Aba North: Timothy Iheke (ZLP)
- Aba South: Anyanwu Obilor (ZLP)
- Arochukwu: Okereke Ezearo (ZLP)
- Bende: Uwabunkeonye Bassey (ZLP)
- Ikwuano: Dr. Anthony Nwaubani (ZLP)
- Isialangwa North: Innocent Uruakpa (ZLP)
- Isialangwa South: Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu (ZLP)
- Isuikwuato: Chinedu Ekeke (ZLP)
- Obingwa: Maxwell Nwadike (ZLP)
- Ohafia: Eleanya Oju-Kalu (ZLP)
- Osisioma: Chidi Christian Agu (YPP)
- Ugwunagbo: Ihenacho Chiemela Nwagbara (YPP)
- Ukwa East: Chibunna Akara (ZLP)
- Ukwa West: Pastor Dike Nwankwo (ZLP)
- Umuahia North: Smart Ihuoma (ZLP)
- Umuahia South: Chinwendu Enwereuzo (ZLP)
- Umunneochi: Sunday Afuruike (ZLP)
In his speech titled, “Development and A New Philosophy of Leadership”, Otti tasked them “to solve the basic problems that have bedeviled our people in the various communities for ages”, adding “While you may have emerged from different political platforms, the agenda remains the same: Abia first. We have since laid the marker at the state, my expectation is that you will run with the vision and continue the work of the socio-economic transformation of Abia from your various LGAs.
“As I had also said, your task is to solve the basic problems that have bedeviled our people in the various communities for ages. Access to water, basic health and education services, effective maintenance of Truck C roads, and quick response to security threats in your local communities should rank very high in your order of priorities.
“Our people should be able to see the impact of your leadership in the next six months through measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people, especially women, youths and the vulnerable in the various localities.”
The Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) presented Certificates of Return on Sunday to the newly elected chairmen of the state’s 17 local government areas, comprising 15 candidates from the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and two from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
At the ABSIEC headquarters in Umuahia, ABSIEC Chairman, Professor George Chima, urged the chairmen to support Governor Alex Otti’s efforts in advancing the state. He emphasized the importance of unified representation and commitment to good governance.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Isuikwuato Chairman Chinedu Ekeke pledged to work in alignment with Otti’s vision for Abia. Meanwhile, Isialangwa South Chairman Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu assured his constituents of delivering the benefits of democracy through initiatives in health, agriculture, infrastructure, and empowerment programs for women and youth, commending Governor Otti’s achievements and promising to reflect the same at the local level.
