The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled an ambitious blueprint for the state, pledging to deploy technology to strengthen security, expand economic opportunities, revive sports, and pursue inclusive development if elected in the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking on Thursday in umuahia during an interactive session with journalists, Anosike said his administration would be anchored on a welfare-driven philosophy designed to improve the standard of living of Abia residents through investments in security, human capital development, infrastructure and economic empowerment.
The PDP candidate identified security as one of the top priorities of his proposed administration, saying technology would play a critical role in protecting lives and property.
Although he declined to disclose operational details of his security strategy, Anosike said modern surveillance systems and intelligence-driven policing would form the backbone of efforts to tackle crime across the state.
He disclosed plans to establish a central command-and-control centre equipped with surveillance cameras strategically located across Abia to improve monitoring and enhance the response capacity of security agencies.
“There is a lot that can be done with technology. Modern command-and-control systems and surveillance infrastructure can significantly improve security and help protect lives and property,” he said.
Anosike also promised to restore Abia’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading sporting states, recalling the achievements of Enyimba F.C. on the continental stage.
He announced plans to establish a world-class sports academy to identify, nurture and develop young talents, particularly in football.
According to him, his international network, including partnerships with football academies in Brazil, would create opportunities for talented Abia youths to pursue professional careers abroad.
He also pledged to rehabilitate and upgrade stadiums, training facilities and other sports infrastructure to provide athletes with an enabling environment to excel.
The PDP candidate added that investment in sports would not only produce champions but also create jobs, promote youth engagement and stimulate economic activities.
Anosike further unveiled a seven-pillar welfare agenda centred on economic empowerment, describing prosperity and wealth creation as major objectives of his administration.
He said the economic welfare component of the agenda would focus on expanding access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), entrepreneurs and farmers through targeted interventions.
According to him, SME financing, entrepreneurship grants, skills acquisition programmes, market expansion initiatives and agricultural support schemes would serve as key drivers of economic growth.
“We believe prosperity should be for everyone. Small and medium-sized businesses are the engine of every economy, and government must deliberately support them through financing and other incentives,” he stated.
Anosike argued that increased allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy were intended to enable governments provide grants, social protection programmes and other interventions to cushion the economic hardship facing citizens.
He promised to establish institutional mechanisms that would channel grants and microcredit facilities to businesses across the state.
The PDP governorship candidate also expressed concern over what he described as Abia State’s poor access to intervention funds provided by the Federal Government and international development agencies.
Drawing from his experience as a legal consultant, Anosike claimed that while businesses in many states had benefited significantly from intervention programmes, Abia had recorded relatively low participation.
To address the challenge, he proposed creating a dedicated office or appointing specialised aides to identify funding opportunities, prepare documentation and assist entrepreneurs, farmers and businesses in accessing grants and concessionary financing.
He maintained that many intervention funds remain underutilised because prospective beneficiaries lack the technical expertise required to meet application conditions.
According to him, a proactive government should continuously identify available funding opportunities and ensure residents are equipped to take advantage of them.
Anosike expressed confidence that improved access to finance, combined with entrepreneurship support and prudent economic management, would stimulate business growth, create employment and improve living standards across Abia State.
The PDP candidate also clarified that his acknowledgement of some infrastructure projects executed by the current administration should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its overall performance.
“I did not say the government has done very well. I said there are pockets of development, especially in roads, but they are not commensurate with the huge revenues coming into the state. If they had done very well, I would not be contesting this election,” he said.
He argued that while road infrastructure had recorded some progress, development in other critical sectors such as education, healthcare, youth development and social services had not matched the state’s available resources.
According to Anosike, governance should extend beyond physical infrastructure to include substantial investments in human capital, healthcare, agriculture, industrialisation, workers’ welfare and social protection.
Commenting on the power sector, he claimed that some ongoing electricity projects originated under previous administrations through public-private partnership arrangements, adding that future governments should consolidate and expand existing initiatives to improve electricity supply.
Reaffirming his vision for Abia, Anosike pledged to pursue balanced and inclusive development, insisting that the state’s resources, if prudently managed, are sufficient to transform every sector of the economy.
Meanwhile, Abia State PDP Chairman, Ama Abraham, maintained that there is only one legally recognised leadership of the party.
He identified the party’s recognised national officers as the authentic leadership and disclosed that the names of the PDP’s candidates for the forthcoming elections had already been successfully uploaded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal.
According to Abraham, the successful submission of candidates confirms the legitimacy of the party’s recognised structure and demonstrates its preparedness for the 2027 general election.
