By Gabriel Ameh
The Labour Party’s 2027 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.
Okereke made the call during a solidarity roadshow in Arochukwu Kingdom, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State, where he mobilised supporters for Governor Alex Otti and other Labour Party candidates.
The event attracted party supporters and residents who marched through parts of Arochukwu carrying banners, placards and posters in support of the Labour Party and the Abia governor.
Okereke called for support for Otti, who is the Labour Party’s candidate for the 2027 Abia governorship election, as well as the party’s candidates for legislative positions in the state.
They include Chief Dr David Ogba Onuoha Bourdex, the Labour Party’s candidate for Abia North Senatorial District; Hon Ibe Okwara Osonwa, candidate for the Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency; and Rt Hon Uchenna Okoro, candidate for Arochukwu State Constituency.
Okereke said the purpose of the mobilisation was partly to appreciate Otti for what he described as development efforts by his administration and to demonstrate support for the governor’s political leadership within the Labour Party.
He also argued that effective governance required cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government.
According to him, voters seeking continuity of policies they support should consider the candidates contesting at different levels of government.
Okereke therefore urged Labour Party supporters to “go all the way” by supporting the party’s candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
The presidential candidate also used the occasion to outline some of the policy priorities associated with his campaign.
He said his agenda included strengthening Nigeria’s federal system, improving the local government system, introducing zero-based budgeting and undertaking what he described as a reset of the country’s institutional governance framework.
He said his proposed governance approach would be anchored on the “Nigerians First” vision, with emphasis on youth and women’s participation, inclusion of persons with disabilities and broader participation in governance.
Okereke also advocated expanding the interpretation of federal character beyond ethnicity to include other forms of diversity, including age, gender and disability.
He said Nigeria should move away from what he described as a “palliative and distributive economy” towards a productive economy capable of creating sustainable opportunities.
Speaking on his presidential ambition, Okereke said his background in systems and institutional design informed his decision to seek the presidency.
“I have spent years studying systems and designing systems and governance architecture, supporting institutional design and framework,” he said.
He argued that democracy should produce tangible improvements in citizens’ lives.
“Democracy must deliver happiness to the Nigerian people. Democracy must improve the lives of people,” he said.
Okereke also encouraged eligible Nigerians to participate in the electoral process and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards where necessary.
He said political participation should not be left to a small section of society because decisions taken by elected representatives at the federal, state and local levels affect citizens’ daily lives and economic activities.
The candidate also praised the Otti administration and claimed that its performance had improved Abia’s human development and happiness indicators. The claim was presented as part of his assessment of the administration and was not independently substantiated during the event.
The Labour Party has been preparing for the 2027 elections with Okereke as its presidential candidate and Otti as its Abia governorship candidate. INEC’s final list of presidential candidates published in September also lists Okereke as the Labour Party’s candidate, alongside Hajja Bintu Konto as his running mate.
At the Arochukwu event, 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 also advised Okereke to ensure that his conduct reflects the values, traditions and dignity of the Arochukwu people and their traditional institution.
The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State House of Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
