Abia 2027: Great Aba Men declare support for Anosike

A delegation comprising the leadership of several prominent grassroots political groups in Aba, operating under the aegis of the Great Aba Men, has declared its support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The delegation was led by Prince Okwudiri Uche, popularly known as Epepe, and Valentine Ndubuisi Ofoma, aka Adamu.

They comprise influential political youths and community mobilisers from various groups and associations across different parts of Aba.

For the members, the choice ahead of the 2027 governorship election is clear: Anosike or no one else.

More than 60 selected members of the group travelled from Aba to Umuahia, the Abia State capital, in two coaster buses on Tuesday to formally identify with Anosike and declare their readiness to work for the return of the PDP to power in Abia State in 2027.

Members of Great Aba Men, who belong to different political parties, are widely regarded as grassroots political assets whose influence extends across their respective communities, wards, and political blocs in Aba.

Although many of them were originally members and supporters of the PDP, the political realignments that followed the 2023 general election compelled some to withdraw from active participation in the party, while others moved to different political platforms.

However, the emergence of Anosike as the PDP governorship candidate is changing the political narrative and rekindling interest in the party among former members and supporters.

While some of those who previously left the PDP have begun returning to the party, others who are yet to publicly declare their positions have reportedly expressed their willingness to remain in their current political parties for strategic reasons while working for Anosike and the PDP in the 2027 election.

Speaking during the visit, members of the group said their decision to support Anosike was informed by his character, personality, political disposition, and commitment to the welfare of the people.

They explained that Anosike’s welfare agenda and his promise to place human development at the centre of governance resonated strongly with them.

According to the group, Abia State requires a governor who understands the everyday struggles of the people and is prepared to prioritise their welfare alongside infrastructural and economic development.

They maintained that Anosike possesses the temperament, experience, and vision required to provide purposeful leadership and unite the different political and social interests within the state.

Adamu said: “There are people who contribute to making Aba great in their own ways. 

“Politically, they cannot be ignored because their influence reaches deep into their communities. 

“The men you see here today are among them.”

The group pledged to join forces with other supporters of Anosike across the state to mobilise voters, strengthen the PDP at the grassroots, and ensure the party’s victory in the 2027 governorship election.

The declaration represents another boost for Anosike and the PDP as they intensify efforts to rebuild the party’s support base, reconcile former members, and establish a broad political coalition across Abia State.

With Aba remaining the commercial and political nerve centre of Abia State, the support of an organised grassroots platform such as Great Aba Men could play a significant role in shaping political mobilisation and voter engagement ahead of the election.

The group’s endorsement also adds to growing indications that Anosike’s candidacy is attracting individuals and political blocs that had previously distanced themselves from the PDP following the outcome of the 2023 elections.

The Great Aba Men assured the governorship candidate that its members would not limit their support to public declarations but would immediately commence consultations, mobilisation, and community-based engagements to promote his candidacy and facilitate the return of the PDP to Government House in Umuahia in 2027.

In his remarks, Anosike, who personally received the delegation, thanked the members for voluntarily coming to identify with him and support his candidacy.

He assured them that he would never take their support for granted, stressing that their decision to stand with him would be accorded the seriousness and priority it deserved.

Anosike also promised to work closely with the group and other political stakeholders across Aba and the state to build a broad-based movement capable of delivering responsive, people-centred leadership to Abians in 2027.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖