As political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election begin to gather momentum in Abia State, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kelechi Anosike, insists that his party laid the foundation for Abia’s development and remains the best thing that has happened to the State. He also speaks on his plan for the State if elected. Charles Ajunwa brings the excerpts:
Aggrieved Abia PDP stakeholders described your emergence as the party’s governorship candidate as rude shock to them. What’s your take?
Maybe because they have not been following my growth and trajectory in the party. I joined PDP since 2005, and I worked closely with former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In fact, I did a book, one of his biographies, titled: ‘Olusegun Obasanjo, The Man, The Message, The Movement’. It’s a three-part book. And in 2006, I served as Chairman National Assembly’s Screening Committee sent to Plateau State. In 2007, 2009, late President Yar’Adua appointed me as a member of some presidential committees, including the one for the review of insurance law, which I did with late Professor Joe Irukwu and Prof. Osipitan. So I’ve been around. The PDP office in Nkwoegwu Ward of my party, I’ve been the one paying the rent all these years. In 2011, I ran for House of Representatives, and I was denied the ticket. I was given to Oluchi Ibechi. In 2008, I contested to be a member of National Working Committee of the party when I sought for the office of Deputy National Financial Secretary, the same convention that brought late Sir Vincent Ogbulafor. I was in that convention. So when I read one report saying that, ‘my emergence is the eighth wonder of the world, that we should study it’. I laughed it over. So I’m wondering where are they coming from. I want to state categorically that I’m a strong PDP member from my ward to state and national levels. So, it was easy having understood the dynamics. And I’m PDP both at heart and in spirit. It was easy for me when I come in to be able to get the ticket because I’m a real party man.
