Otti’s Performance, Assembly Leadership Attracted Opposition Lawmakers to Labour Party — Abia Assembly Speaker

The outstanding performance of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti,OFR, and the effective leadership of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly have been described  as key factors behind the defection of opposition lawmakers to the Labour Party.

The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, stated this during a media briefing to mark the third anniversary of the 8th Assembly held at the Legislative Complex, Umuahia, on June 16, 2026.

Emeruwa recalled that at the inauguration of the 8th Assembly in June 2023, the Labour Party had only 10 lawmakers, but within three years, the number increased to 20 following the decision of opposition legislators to join the party.

According to him, the growing strength of the Labour Party in the Assembly was a reflection of the achievements recorded by Governor Otti’s administration and the legislative successes of the 8th Assembly.

“The dominance of the 8th Abia State House of Assembly by Labour Party lawmakers is undisputedly predicated on the performance of Governor Alex Chioma Otti and the leadership provided by the legislative arm.

“The landmark bills passed into law and the remarkable achievements of the administration have made the Labour Party attractive to opposition lawmakers, inspiring them to join our fold,” Emeruwa said.

The Speaker also dismissed insinuations of division among lawmakers, stressing that the Assembly has remained united and focused on delivering quality representation to the people of Abia State.

He noted that the cordial relationship among members was driven by a shared commitment to the interest of the people rather than party affiliations.

“To us at the 8th Assembly, the interest of Abians remains our priority. Before every plenary sitting, we harmonise our positions during executive sessions to ensure constructive deliberations on the floor of the House. This has strengthened our unity and productivity,” he added.

Emeruwa further denied claims that the executive arm had interfered with the activities of the legislature, describing the relationship among the three arms of government as cordial and based on mutual respect.

He explained that disagreements between the arms of government were normal in a democracy but should not degenerate into confrontation capable of undermining governance and development.

Highlighting the achievements of the 8th Assembly, the Speaker disclosed that the House had considered 75 bills and enacted 38 into law within three years.

Among the landmark legislations, he listed the establishment of the Greater Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia Development Authorities, which he said are contributing to infrastructure renewal and community development across the state.

Other major laws passed by the Assembly include the Abia State Governor’s and Deputy Governor’s Pension (Repeal) Law, 2024; Faith-Based and Private Colleges of Nursing Sciences (Establishment) Law, 2024; Abia State Electricity Law, 2025; Abia Senior Citizens Centre Law, 2025; Abia State Economic Planning and Development Board Law, 2025; Abia State Physical Planning and Infrastructural Development Fund Law; and the Abia State Fire Service (Amendment No. 1) Law, 2025.

The Speaker also revealed that the Assembly was advancing plans to fully digitalise its legislative processes, including bills, records, and other official documents, before the end of its tenure in 2027.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Augustine Okezie Meregini, praised Emeruwa’s leadership style, describing it as a major factor behind the transformation of the Assembly into a centre of effective representation, transparent lawmaking, and sustainable development.

Meregini said the Speaker’s previous experience as a local government chairman had helped foster a productive working relationship between the legislature and the executive arm.

He described the 8th Assembly as a critical engine of governance, whose legislative achievements have contributed significantly to the administration’s developmental strides across Abia State.