The People’s Democratic Party in Abia State, has presented the third governorship aspirant to delegates ahead of party’s primary election.
The delegates who converged at the party secretariat yesterday, received an Ohuhu based legal practitioner and a solicitor in the United Kingdom who has declared interest to join the Abia Guber race.
Before the presentation, the State Chairman of the PDP, Elder Abraham Amah, confirmed that three aspirants had so far joined the PDP governorship race in Abia State, noting that Anosike was the latest entrant after fulfilling all constitutional and legal requirements of the party.
According to him, the party might have made mistakes in the past, but noted that it has realized itself and is ready to rewrite the wrongs.
Speaking at the meeting, the chairman, Abraham Amah, said the party had successfully navigated several legal battles, including cases at the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
According to him, the party is united under its national leadership, stressing that those forming parallel structures have left, and the party has taken over and fully prepared for elections.
He, however, acknowledged that the PDP made mistakes in the past, but assured members that the party was committed to doing better ahead of the 2027 elections.
Shortly after the presentation to delegates, the Ohuhu Born Legal Practitioner, Kelechi Anosike, declared his intention to rebuild Abia State through holistic development, youth empowerment, civil service reforms, and economic revitalization.
Anosike said his mission goes beyond politics, stressing that he is entering the race to “build Abia and change lives”.
According to him, “Never again will any Abian go home hungry. We will create food, we will return to the farms and ensure that people can feed their families”.
Anosike, who hails from Ohuhu in Umuahia North Local Government Area, disclosed that he began his educational journey in Okoko Item, Bende, his mother’s hometown, before studying Law at the Abia State University. He later moved to the United Kingdom where he obtained a Master’s degree in Petroleum Law and Policy, as well as a PhD in Property Law and Mortgages.
The legal practitioner explained that he specialized in energy, petroleum, gas and property law, adding that he later qualified as a solicitor in the United Kingdom after being called to the Nigerian Bar.
Highlighting his professional achievements, Anosike said his law firm has grown into one of the best in Africa in its area of specialization, noting that the firm has successfully managed complex systems, revived struggling companies and served as legal adviser and company secretary to several organizations.
“They call me a professor because I profess knowledge and wealth. I am a wealth creator. I see what others do not see, and that is how we make money. That is what we want to bring to Abia State,” he said.
The governorship hopeful further criticized what he described as an over-concentration on road infrastructure by the current administration at the expense of other critical sectors.
“If you want to help a state, you must pursue holistic development. Governance is beyond roads. Healthcare, agriculture, security, workers’ welfare and youth development are all important”, he stated.
He lamented the rising cost of living in Abia, describing the state as one of the most expensive places to live in Nigeria.
According to him, monies are not circulating in the economy and when funds are not injected into the system, inflation rises. “We need to revive the economy, inject funds and improve the living conditions of the people”.
Anosike promised to prioritize workers’ welfare through policies aimed at improving the lives of civil servants and pensioners.
He equally revealed plans to introduce a “Civil Service Care”, initiative that would provide subsidized healthcare for workers, with government covering 70 percent of medical expenses while workers pay 30 percent.
“We will also introduce Pension Plus. Civil servants and pensioners should know that salvation has come. We will sign service contracts with workers, youths, traders and other groups to ensure accountability,” he added.
On youth empowerment, the aspirant criticized the practice of empowering youths with motorcycles and tricycles alone, insisting that modern empowerment should focus on technology and innovation.
“We will create ICT-based empowerment programmes. Our youths can work remotely for foreign companies and earn in pounds and dollars. We must think outside, citing Kenya as an example of a country investing in digital opportunities for young people.
Anosike decried the condition of the judiciary in the state, alleging that judicial workers had been on strike over unpaid salaries, while some innocent citizens remained in correctional facilities without trial.
“This government will have a human face. People must stay alive to enjoy infrastructure. Governance is about compassion, welfare and care”, he promised.
He urged PDP delegates and stakeholders to support a candidate capable of winning both the party primary and the general election, adding that the party needs a new face in the Abia political leadership. He said the party is not in the race by mistake. “We are prepared to run and prepared to win”, he declared.
