The Abia State chapter of the Labour Party has registered 316 support groups and political structures seeking to align with the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The groups were formally unveiled at a meeting of the party’s State Working Committee (SWC) and representatives of the registered organisations held on Friday at the Labour Party state headquarters in Umuahia.

The State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Iroegbu Jason Emenike, described the meeting as strategic, saying it was part of efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structure, harmonise its growing support base and establish effective coordination among groups backing the party and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Emenike recalled that the party opened an online registration portal on July 14, 2026, for pro-groups, political structures and other support organisations interested in formally aligning with the Labour Party.

He said more than 316 groups had registered through the portal, expressing their commitment to working with the party towards the success of its candidates for state and national elective positions in 2027.

Speaking at the meeting, the State Chairman of the Labour Party, Hon. Peter Azubuike, said the engagement was organised to sensitise and educate the registered groups on their expected roles and clarify the framework for cooperation, integration and harmonisation with the party.

Azubuike said the Labour Party welcomed individuals and groups genuinely committed to the collective success of the party and its candidates, stressing that the objective was to build a united political movement rather than create separate political camps.

He warned that the party would not accommodate any support group unwilling to align with its collective agenda or work sincerely for the success of all its candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The chairman assured the groups that they would be properly integrated into the party’s activities and programmes, adding that no active and committed organisation would be left behind.

Azubuike urged the groups to remain focused on sustaining the Labour Party and consolidating what he described as the progress recorded under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti.

He said the continued strength and success of the Labour Party were essential to protecting and sustaining the vision of the “New Abia”, which he said had continued to inspire confidence in governance across the state.

The chairman, however, cautioned the groups against engaging in unlawful activities or violating provisions of the Electoral Act.

He said the State Working Committee would monitor the activities and commitment of the various groups to ensure that they operated within the agreed framework and remained committed to the collective agenda of the party.

Azubuike also assured the organisations that they would be appropriately accommodated in the party’s expanded campaign structure based on their level of commitment and contribution.

He charged the leaders and members of the groups to return to their respective communities, bases and networks and intensify grassroots mobilisation and political engagement in support of Governor Otti and other Labour Party candidates.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for representatives of the groups to raise concerns relating to voter mobilisation, protection of votes, security and the need for committed organisations to be recognised and carried along in the party’s activities.

Responding to the concerns, Azubuike assured the groups that the party would continue to operate within the provisions of the law and engage relevant stakeholders to address issues affecting the mobilisation and participation of its supporters.

The development signals an effort by the Abia Labour Party to consolidate its grassroots structure and coordinate its growing network of support groups ahead of the 2027 elections.