The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has declared that the opposition party remains the most organised political platform in the state and is fully positioned to mount a strong challenge in the 2027 governorship election.
Anosike made the declaration on Wednesday in Umuahia during what he described as his first official homecoming after emerging as the party’s standard-bearer for the next general election.
Addressing party faithful, delegates and supporters, the PDP candidate said the party had regained momentum and cohesion ahead of the forthcoming electoral contest.
According to him, the PDP remains the most structured political party in Abia State with an extensive grassroots network spread across wards and polling units.
“PDP has found new energy in Kelechi Anosike. So it is a show of strength and faith in what we are doing, and also to tell the whole world that Abia State PDP is strong, vibrant, united and far more formidable,” he said.
“PDP is the strongest, the most structured party in Abia State. There is no other party that has structure in all the wards and polling units.
“PDP membership strength is strong and formidable. With such number, it is difficult to beat that party when they are united. PDP is stronger now. PDP is united and far more formidable.”
The declaration comes as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, with opposition parties working to consolidate their structures and rebuild support bases.
Anosike used the occasion to unveil elements of his policy agenda, promising a governance model focused on welfare, human capital development, youth empowerment and economic expansion.
Describing himself as a welfarist, he said workers and citizens deserved fair treatment and improved opportunities.
“As a welfarist, we believe what the Bible says, that a labourer is entitled to his wages. So you owe no man nothing but your love,” he stated.
Among the initiatives outlined by the PDP candidate is the proposed establishment of the Abia State Labour Global Opportunities Agency, which he said would equip young people with relevant skills for the international labour market.
He also pledged to create the Abia State Informal Sector Development Regulatory Agency aimed at organising, certifying and licensing participants within the informal economy.
“What we want to do is increase their capacity and increase their value because money follows value,” he added.
Anosike said infrastructure development would remain important but stressed that investment in people would occupy a central place in his administration if elected.
“We will construct roads. We will build infrastructure. But beyond that, human capacity development is key to what we intend to do,” he said.
He announced plans for an agricultural initiative tagged Operation Feed Abia, which he described as a back-to-farm programme designed to boost food production, create employment opportunities and support rural communities.
The PDP candidate also proposed the establishment of a sports academy to discover and nurture talents among young people across the state.
Other priorities highlighted include salary review mechanisms, an Abia State Health Insurance Scheme, revitalisation of primary healthcare centres, construction of rural roads and targeted job creation initiatives.
Anosike further assured party supporters that all necessary electoral processes had been complied with following the successful documentation and profiling exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Having uploaded our names successfully, we have eligible candidates validly presented by our party to contest the 2027 general election,” he said.
The PDP governed Abia State for more than two decades before losing power in 2023, making the 2027 governorship race a major opportunity for the party to stage a political comeback.
