Labour Unions, Civil Society Organisations Endorse Dr. Chima Anyaso, Instructs all Structures in Bende to Collapse for LP
Labour Unions, Civil Society Organisations Endorse Dr. Chima Anyaso, Instructs all Structures in Bende to Collapse for LP
The Organised Labour and Civil Society Stakeholders in Bende Local Government Area have endorsed the Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso(OFUJI), for the 2027 House of Representatives election, declaring their readiness to mobilise their structures in support of his candidacy.
The endorsement was made on Friday, August 28, 2026, during a historic stakeholders’ meeting between representatives of Organised Labour, Civil Society Organisations and Dr. Chima Anyaso, held at Toxydon Hotel and Suites, Umuagu Ibeku in Umuahia the Abia State Capital.
The stakeholders described the meeting as a new chapter in their efforts to promote people-centred representation, accountability, workers’ welfare and grassroots development in Bende.
Speaking on behalf of the Labour stakeholders, Comrade Mayor Emeka Joseph Ugboaja, who is the Head of Information of the National Union of Electricity Employees, said the time had come for the Labour Movement to support one of its own.
He recalled the role played by the late Secretary-General of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, in the political project, saying that the late labour leader had expressed his desire for Labour to support Dr. Chima Anyaso come 2027.
“We don’t want people who will come and give us bad roads. Our late leader said, ‘Go and deliver OFUJI,’ because he believes so much that his time has come.”
Comrade Ugboaja further declared that the Labour and Civil Society stakeholders had resolved to adopt Dr. Chima Anyaso as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election.
“Today, we have done it that Dr. Chima Anyaso is the only candidate for the Organised Labour Movement and Civil Society, and all other structures should be collapsed in favour of OFUJI.”
Also speaking at the event, Comrade Chile Agubuche, representative of the Office of the General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress at the Labour House, Abuja, said the Labour stakeholders had resolved to support Dr. Chima Anyaso and mobilise their structures across Bende for the 2027 election.
He said the purpose of the engagement was not merely to endorse a candidate but to establish a partnership capable of delivering effective representation and development to the people.
Comrade Agubuche disclosed that the NLC General Secretary had directed the Labour leadership in Bende to collapse its political structures in support of Dr. Chima Anyaso.
“Be informed that the NLC General Secretary has instructed Comrade Mayor Emeka Ugboaja to collapse his political structure for you.”
He further stated that the Labour Stakeholders Forum had formally adopted Dr. Chima Anyaso as its candidate for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election.
“Let me also inform you that this Forum has adopted you as our candidate for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election.”
According to him, the Labour Movement and Civil Society Organisations would mobilise their structures at the grassroots, sensitise voters and campaign across communities to secure victory for Dr. Chima Anyaso and the Lab
On his part, Comrade Promise Onwukwe, Clerk of the Abia State House of Assembly, said the decision of Organised Labour to convene the meeting in support of Dr. Chima Anyaso was an indication that stakeholders had identified qualities they considered important in the Labour Party candidate.
“For Organised Labour to think of organising this kind of ceremony in support of your political movement in Bende, there is something good about you. In this singular act, you are emerging victorious.”
He said workers in Abia State would continue to support the Labour Party and its candidates, stressing that the political movement represented an opportunity for workers to participate actively in shaping the future of the state and their communities.
“We know that the Labour of the state belongs to this Labour Party, and there is no way workers in Abia State will allow one of their own to wallow. The support of our workers is for you.”
Onwukwe also paid tribute to the late Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, noting that his support for the project remained significant.
“Our mentor gave his support before he died, and I know wherever he is today, he will be seeing us and he will be glad.”
The Civil Society stakeholders similarly pledged to mobilise their structures across Bende in support of Dr. Chima Anyaso.
In an address presented on behalf of the Civil Society Stakeholders, Comrade C. E. Achonye Esq.Executive Director, Women in Politics Network, Abuja, described the gathering as the beginning of a new chapter of collaboration, accountability and people-centred representation for Bende.
She said the Civil Society Stakeholders believed in Dr. Chima Anyaso’s capacity to deliver, adding that they were prepared to work with him towards achieving what they described as better representation for the constituency.
The stakeholders highlighted what they described as Dr. Chima Anyaso’s interventions as a private citizen, particularly in humanitarian support, youth and women empowerment, community development and philanthropy.
According to them, his activities through the Cedes Foundation had demonstrated a commitment to service even without occupying public office.
They pledged to mobilise their structures at the grassroots, sensitise the electorate and ensure that their members participate actively in the 2027 electoral process.
The Civil Society representatives also appealed for logistical support, including a vehicle, to enable them reach communities across Bende for town-hall meetings, voter education, sensitisation and grassroots mobilisation.
Responding to the endorsement, Dr. Chima Anyaso expressed appreciation to the Organised Labour and Civil Society stakeholders for what he described as a historic gathering.
He said he would have been particularly delighted to have the late Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja present at the occasion, describing his death as a reminder of the transient nature of life.
“I would have been glad to see my late brother, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja, to be part of this project, but unfortunately, he is no more. For those of us that are alive, it is a reminder that we are all on queue and none of us leaves alive.”
Dr. Anyaso described the convergence of Organised Labour and Civil Society in support of a candidate as significant and expressed gratitude to the stakeholders for their confidence in him.
“The other feeling is the feeling of joy to witness this well-organised first-in-history event of the Organised Labour Congress and the very respected Civil Society coming together in unison to unanimously adopt a candidate.”
“In the history of House of Representatives and the Labour Union, they are coming together to adopt a candidate, and that candidate is me.”
Dr. Anyaso also acknowledged the presence of Labour leaders, including the Chairman, Comrade Sunday Agoha, and Comrade Promise Onwukwe, the Clerk of the Abia State House of Assembly.
He commended the Labour Movement for supporting Governor Dr. Alex Chioma Otti and adopting him for another term in office.
“I want to congratulate the Labour Union for giving us a wonderful Governor in the person of Dr. Alex Otti, who is a member of the Union, and for also adopting him as a member of the Union.”
The Labour Party candidate assured the stakeholders that he would justify the confidence reposed in him if elected to represent Bende Federal Constituency.
“I assure you that I will not let the Labour Union down. The same way our Governor has performed in Abia State, that is the same way I will perform in Bende.”He concluded.
