The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has elected 39 new officers to pilot the activities of the party in Anambra State.
Former PDP youth leader, Mr. Chidi Chidebe emerged as state party chairman, defeating his opponent Mr Amechi Onowu with 1,080 to 960 votes in a keenly contested election at Professor Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka.
Ebere Onunkwor emerged as Secretary while Dr Obumneme Nnoli would serve as Publicity Secretary.
Declaring the results in the early hours of Thursday, the Chairman 2024 PDP Congress Committee in Anambra State and Deputy Governor of Enugu state, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossai, urged new executive to rebuild, restore and reconcile all aggrieved party members in the state.
He noted that Anambra State is critical to the party, hence the victories can only be celebrated when all members are united under one umbrella.
Mr Ossai further encouraged the new Anambra PDP Chairman, Chidebe to engage with all those who contested in the election and expressed satisfaction that the congress was peaceful, fair, and transparent in line with earlier promise to Anambra party loyalists.
“Last week, when we failed to conduct the congress, I told PDP members in the state that it would be free, fair, and transparent. I am happy that this came to fruition.” he stated.
He urged the new executive to work harmoniously to secure a win in the 2025 gubernatorial elections.
Responding, Chidebe stated that his administration would focus on reconciling aggrieved members, increasing party membership, and embarking on grassroots campaigns to regain public trust.
While describing the victory as an act of God, the new chairman extended a hand of fellowship to his opponent, assuring that they would collaborate to restore the PDP’s prominence in Anambra State and beyond.
He emphasized that his main targets would be reviving, rebuilding, and repositioning the PDP for a victorious future, which were central to his campaign agenda.
“This is not a victory for one person; it is a victory for all of us. I assure you that my good brother Amechi and other contestants will work with us to restore our party. The 2025 Anambra State governorship election will not be business as usual.
“My campaign manifesto is centered on strengthening synergy with national leadership and enhancing local government and ward relationships, aiming to create harmonious and effective ties with the national leadership of the PDP while fostering deeper engagement with local government and ward leadership across Anambra State. This will be achieved within 30 days of taking office.”he stated.
He added that his agenda on financial transparency and resource mobilization is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability while mobilizing resources for the party’s electoral campaigns and administration, to be implemented within two months of taking office.
According to Mr Chidebe, his agenda will focused on governance, accountability and policy advocacy, seeking to hold elected officials accountable and position the PDP as the voice of the people in advocating for good governance and impactful policies.
The Woman Leader of PDP and former Nnewi North Local Government Chairman, Mrs Calista Nkiru Adimachukwu assured that the party would focus on grassroots mobilization, emphasizing her commitment to peace and unity within the party.
“In Anambra State, we don’t have Governor, senator, House of Representatives and only have one House of Assembly member. But am telling you that from today, everything is turning positively for our good. PDP is alive, PDP is strong.
“Having been elected second time as Women Leader, am going to move the entire women forward from the chapters to the ward and to the state. We are going to speak with one voice. There must be unity in diversity. No more division and crisis again.”
Correspondent reports that the Congress also witnessed the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Ugwu amids heavy presence of security operatives.
By: Ogemdi Ozoemenam, Awka
