Governor Alex Otti of Abia State recently held a swearing-in ceremony for the 17 newly elected local government chairmen, officially marking the beginning of their terms. The elections took place last Saturday, and Certificates of Return were presented to the winners by the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) the following day.

Out of the 17 elected chairmen, 15 represent the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and two represent the Young Progressives Party (YPP). Each chairman will now oversee one of Abia’s local government areas. Notable names include Timothy Iheke for Aba North, Anyanwu Obilor for Aba South, and Okereke Ezearo for Arochukwu, all representing ZLP, along with Chidi Christian Agu for Osisioma and Ihenacho Chiemela Nwagbara for Ugwunagbo, both from YPP.

During the inauguration, Governor Otti called on the chairmen to embody the “Abia first” vision by focusing on community needs. He emphasized key areas for development, such as improving access to clean water, strengthening healthcare and education, maintaining local roads, and enhancing security.

Otti urged them to make tangible changes within the next six months that will improve the quality of life for the people of Abia, particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable groups. He stated, “Our people should feel the impact of your leadership soon. Focus on delivering real results for your communities.”

This swearing-in marks a fresh chapter for Abia’s local governments, with the new chairmen tasked to lead by example, solve pressing issues, and drive socio-economic transformation across the state.