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 mobilize their structures in support of his candidacy.
The endorsement came on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting between representatives of Organised Labour, Civil Society Organisations and Dr. Chima Anyaso, held in Umuahia, saw the stakeholders describe 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, NUEE 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.
Comrade Ugboaja disclosed “the Labour and Civil Society stakeholders has resolved to adopt Dr. Chima Anyaso as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election. Today, we have done it. 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, informed that Labour stakeholders have resolved to support Dr. Chima Anyaso and mobilize their structures across Bende for the 2027 election.
The purpose of the engagement, he said, was not merely to endorse a candidate but to establish a partnership capable of delivering effective representation and development to the people, and disclosed that the NLC General Secretary had directed the Labour leadership in Bende to collapse its political structures in support of Dr. Chima Anyaso.
“Let me also inform you that this Forum has adopted you as our candidate for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election. The Labour Movement and Civil Society Organisations would mobilise their structures at the grassroots, sensitise voters and campaign across communities to secure victory for Anyaso and the LP
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 Anyaso was an indication that stakeholders had identified qualities they considered important in the Labour Party candidate.
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.”
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 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, stating that his activities through the Cedes Foundation had demonstrated a commitment to service even without occupying public office.
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, stating, “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.”
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.”
Anyaso acknowledged the presence of Labour leaders in the state, and commended the Labour Movement for also supporting Gov. Alex Otti and adopting him for another term in office.
The Labour Party candidate assured “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.
