The Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke, has urged voters in Abia State to support the party’s candidates across elective positions in the 2027 general elections, saying coordinated representation at the federal and state levels would be crucial to sustaining the development agenda of Governor Alex Otti’s administration.

Okereke made the call during a solidarity roadshow in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, where he rallied party supporters behind Otti and other Labour Party candidates ahead of the elections.

The rally attracted a large gathering of party supporters and residents, who marched through parts of Arochukwu with banners, placards, posters and other campaign materials in solidarity with the Labour Party and the governor.

Okereke called for support for Otti, the Labour Party’s Abia governorship candidate, as well as the party’s Abia North Senatorial candidate, Chief Dr. David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex; Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency candidate, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa; Arochukwu State Constituency candidate, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Okoro; and other Labour candidates in the state.

The Labour Party has confirmed Okereke as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, while Otti, Bourdex and Osonwa have also emerged as the party’s candidates for the Abia governorship, Abia North senatorial and Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency elections respectively.

Addressing supporters, Okereke urged them to approach the 2027 elections as a coordinated ballot, arguing that electing a governor without corresponding legislative representation could make it difficult to pursue a consistent development programme.

He said supporters should therefore “go all the way” with Labour candidates seeking positions at the Senate, House of Representatives and Abia State House of Assembly.

According to him, political representation at different levels should complement one another rather than operate as disconnected components.

Speaking on the sidelines of the rally, Okereke said the gathering was primarily organised to appreciate Otti for what he described as the governor’s development efforts in Abia.

He said the changes taking place in the state under Otti had attracted attention beyond Abia, adding that the governor’s administration provided an opportunity to demonstrate a different approach to governance.

Okereke also commended Otti for what he described as his role in strengthening the Labour Party and supporting the emergence of a younger generation of leaders within the party.

“I have spent years studying systems and designing systems and governance architecture, supporting institutional design and framework,” he said, explaining his motivation for seeking the presidency.

The presidential candidate said his campaign was focused on demonstrating how governance could be approached differently, arguing that political leadership should ultimately translate into improved socioeconomic conditions for citizens.

He said democracy should not be reduced to the conduct of elections but should deliver tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Okereke’s campaign centred on the need for citizens to understand the connection between their votes and the quality of governance they receive.

He said the responsibility of determining the country’s political direction should not be left to a limited number of voters, urging Nigerians to participate actively in the electoral process.

The Traditional Ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence, Dr. Eberechukwu Oji, Eze Aro IX, prayed for Okereke and wished him well in his campaign.

The monarch urged the presidential candidate to uphold due process and respect the rule of law throughout the campaign.

He advised Okereke to conduct himself in a manner that would preserve the dignity, values, and respect attached to the people and traditional institutions of Arochukwu.

Eze Aro IX further urged the candidate to ensure that his actions and conduct reflected the high regard accorded to the community’s traditional institutions, customs, and values.