The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has officially unveiled the party’s State Chairman, Hon. Amah Abraham, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, describing the choice as deliberate, strategic and aimed at returning the PDP to Government House.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony at the PDP State Secretariat in Umuahia on Thursday, Anosike said the decision followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders, stressing that the joint ticket represents competence, loyalty, experience and a shared commitment to rebuilding Abia State.
He said several factors were considered before settling for Amah, including his rich political background, commitment to the party, leadership qualities and strategic importance to the PDP’s electoral fortunes.
According to Anosike, Amah remained steadfast when many members abandoned the party, helping to rebuild its structures and keep it united during difficult times.
“He understands the heartbeat of our party because he has worked with our members from the ward level to the state level. He is experienced, dependable, accessible, loyal and prepared. That is the kind of deputy a governor needs not a ceremonial deputy, but a dependable partner in governance,” he said.
The PDP standard bearer disclosed that Ama’s nomination received the blessing of the party’s national leadership, noting that his years of sacrifice and dedication to the PDP earned him the confidence of the leadership.
He acknowledged that not every party member might initially support the decision but insisted that the overriding objective was to present a formidable team capable of returning the PDP to power in 2027.
“You cannot please everyone. What is important is presenting a joint ticket that can take us back to Government House. With time, everyone will understand that this decision is in the best interest of the party,” Anosike stated.
Describing the ticket as more than a political alliance, he said both men had already spent the past two months working together on governance ideas and policy initiatives for Abia State.
“This is not just a political ticket. This is a governance team. We have had fruitful discussions, exchanged ideas and developed practical strategies for the future of Abia,” he added.
Anosike reiterated his commitment to building a welfare-driven administration that would prioritise workers, pensioners, farmers, youths and vulnerable citizens while simultaneously investing in infrastructure and human capital development.
He promised that if elected, his administration would clear outstanding gratuities, leave allowances and other arrears owed to civil servants and local government workers within the first 100 days in office.
According to him, governance should not only focus on physical projects but also on improving the welfare and living conditions of the people.
“Some governments build roads and forget the people. We will build roads and also build the people because the greatest infrastructure of any state is its citizens,” he declared.
The PDP candidate said his administration would also focus on job creation, education, healthcare, security and restoring hope to the people of Abia.
He assured party faithful that appointments under his administration would largely be given to qualified Abians, dismissing the practice of bringing outsiders to occupy strategic government positions.
“Our guiding principles remain service, welfare and progress. We believe there is enough work for every competent Abian to contribute to the development of the state,” he said.
On whether Amanh would resign as the PDP State Chairman following his nomination, Anosike maintained that there was no constitutional provision compelling him to vacate the office before the election, explaining that the party had resolved that he should continue serving as chairman throughout the campaign for strategic reasons.
He urged party candidates and members to intensify grassroots mobilisation across polling units, expressing confidence that the PDP possessed the structure needed to reclaim power in 2027.
“The 2027 election is not about personalities. It is about jobs, education, healthcare, security, welfare and restoring hope. Let us remain united because there is only one mission and one destination victory in 2027,” he said.
Responding after his unveiling, Hon. Amah Abraham described his nomination as a call to service, saying he accepted it in obedience to the decision of the party’s leadership and in the overall interest of the PDP and the people of Abia State.
He said both national service and party service require sacrifice, adding that he was fully prepared to serve as the running mate to Dr. Anosike.
Amah recalled that his political career began in 1997 when he was elected under the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) to represent his Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.
According to him, over three decades of political experience and service under different administrations had equipped him with a deep understanding of governance and leadership.
He said the experience had prepared him to effectively support the PDP governorship candidate in delivering what he described as a people-oriented administration.
Responding to questions from journalists, Amah disclosed that he did not anticipate the nomination but had always prepared himself for leadership responsibilities.
Although surprised by the choice, he expressed confidence in his ability to discharge the responsibilities of deputy governor effectively if elected.
He described Dr. Anosike as a prepared and visionary leader with a clear agenda for transforming Abia State and pledged to give him total support in implementing programmes and policies that would improve the lives of the people.
Amah assured party members and the people of Abia of his unwavering commitment to working with the governorship candidate to deliver good governance and return the PDP to power in the 2027 governorship election.
