Abia MSMEs Groups Appeal to Governor Otti to End Lingering Judiciary Workers’ Strike

Business groups in Abia State have appealed to Governor Alex Otti to urgently intervene in the prolonged strike action by judiciary workers, warning that the situation is severely affecting small and medium-scale businesses across the state.

The appeal was jointly made by the African Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (AASME), also known as the African MSMEs Council, alongside the Coalition of Business Groups and Association of Nigeria (COBGAN), Abia State Chapter.

In a statement signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of AASME and COBGAN, Darlington Onuoha Kalu, the groups expressed concern over the continued shutdown of judicial activities in the state, stressing that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are among the worst-hit by the industrial action.

According to the groups, the absence of judicial services has disrupted legal processes involving businesses, thereby slowing down economic and commercial activities across Abia State.

The organisations noted that Governor Otti has built a reputation for addressing public issues with “compliance and competency,” citing interventions such as the reinstatement of teachers in Abia North and the reconstruction of the Ekeoha Shopping Centre.

They argued that the ongoing judiciary strike has created hardship for business owners who depend on court services for dispute resolution, documentation, and other legal matters essential for business operations.

“To be candid, MSMEs are the major victims of this strike action because while the Executive arm of government is functioning and the judiciary workers remain on strike, business owners who rely on judicial services are left stranded,” the statement said.

The groups urged the governor to “temper justice with mercy” by taking swift action to resolve the dispute in the interest of economic growth and the vision of the “New Abia” administration.

They further reaffirmed their support for Governor Otti’s administration, stating that the reforms and developmental strides of the government are already visible across the state.

In addition to the appeal, the organisations also invited Governor Otti to the 2026 World MSMEs Celebration Day scheduled to hold on June 27, 2026, at the auditorium complex of Abia State Polytechnic in Aba.

The event, themed “Building Sustainable MSMEs That Drive the Economy of States, Nations and the World,” will also feature the inauguration of the World African MSMEs Knowledge Hub Development and Research initiative, as well as the presentation of the Dr. Nelson Mandela Entrepreneurship Business Security and Cultural Excellence Development Award 2026.

The organisers disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other African leaders, governors, ministers, financial institutions, and development partners are expected to attend the event.