The Abia State Chapter of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) launched its Local Government Area (LGA) election campaign on Thursday, attracting a massive crowd to Enyimba Stadium in Aba. The event, which kicked off campaigns for the 17 council areas in Abia State, caused significant traffic around East Street and other main roads in Aba South LGA.
Reports indicate that the Labour Party (LP) in Abia has split into two factions, with one camp supporting Governor Alex Otti, and the other aligning with the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee. Sources reveal that Governor Otti's faction has officially joined ZLP to contest in the upcoming council election on November 2.
At the rally, Mr. Chinedu Ekeke, chairmanship candidate for Isuikwuato LGA, spoke on behalf of the 16 other ZLP candidates, promising a grassroots-focused leadership approach. He urged Abia residents to support ZLP, assuring them of a people-centered governance style that prioritizes the average citizen.
“Abia people should expect a leadership model where the people come first. We will ensure everyone, including those without connections to people in power, enjoys equal rights and privileges. Our aim is to make life easier for the common man,” Ekeke stated.
Highlighting ZLP's potential to win the elections, Ekeke emphasized that the strength of a party lies in its people, citing the significant impact a new party could have, referencing LP's recent successes at the national level. He argued that ZLP could similarly challenge established parties in Abia.
Ekeke also outlined plans to curb rural-urban migration through agriculture and skill acquisition initiatives. “If people in rural areas can earn a livelihood locally, there will be no need to relocate to cities. We are committed to supporting agriculture and establishing small-scale industries to create employment and development within these communities,” he said.
He proposed training youth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), enabling them to work remotely for international firms from within their localities, potentially earning foreign currency. Ekeke assured attendees that financial resources would not be a barrier, citing local revenue generation methods and a Supreme Court ruling affirming local government funding.
As the LP faction aligned with ZLP continues its campaign, opposition parties like the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are reportedly looking to capitalize on the internal conflicts within LP and potential vulnerabilities in the ZLP camp ahead of the election.
