The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has pledged to introduce a monthly “Meet-Your-Governor” forum where residents can directly present their complaints and seek government intervention.

Anosike made the promise in Umuahia when members of the Kelechi Anosike G’eme Karia Movement, one of his support groups, visited his campaign office to brief him on their activities.

The PDP candidate said his administration, if elected, would focus on accessibility, accountability and governance that responds directly to the needs of the people.

Anosike said he would personally remain accessible to Abians rather than depend entirely on aides to receive and filter complaints from residents.

“I can’t be the governor Abians cannot access. I will be very accessible. Many appoint special assistants who receive mail, read them and decide who should see the governor. That is very wrong. Nobody reads my mail for me. You read your mail yourself,” he said.

He also linked the distance between governments and citizens to the failure to carry campaign stakeholders along after elections. According to him, bringing people who had no involvement in the campaign into government can contribute to a disconnect between an administration and the people it governs.

“I will be accessible both to the pro-groups and the entire people of Abia State,” he added.

Explaining the proposed monthly forum, Anosike said it would provide a platform where government officials and security agencies could hear residents’ complaints and take immediate action where possible.

“We will hold the Meet-Your-Governor Forum at least once a month. There are people who are crying daily because of injustice, with nobody to address their matter. Oppression and intimidation are going on daily, so that if any governor gets to hear it, he will solve it on the spot.

“If it is once a month, we will create that forum. We will go to Michael Okpara Auditorium or any big hall. The governor, his deputy, the police, DSS Director and all who will help to solve the problems will be at the high table and hear the people’s complaints.

“If you don’t attend to and solve the people’s problems, then what are you doing in government? Government is about the people,” he said.

Anosike also restated his intention to pursue what he described as a “welfarist” model of governance, with economic empowerment listed as one of his priorities.

“When I tell people I am a welfarist, that is not politics. That’s my makeup, that’s my nature,” he said.

He disclosed plans to establish a microfinance bank in Aba that would provide interest-free loans to residents, adding that his proposed empowerment programmes would be extended to communities throughout the state.

“There is no form of economic empowerment for the people; it’s terrible. So any government that cannot provide for the people should leave governance alone. The nature of government we want to bring will get to every ward,” he said.

The PDP candidate commended members of the movement for their efforts and sacrifices towards his campaign and expressed confidence that the party would win the February 6, 2027 governorship election.

“You see this game we are doing, come February 6, we will be in Government House. We are determined to take our state back and do the right thing,” he said.

Anosike also promised the support group a branded Sienna vehicle and office accommodation, while asking its members to expand their mobilisation efforts across the state’s wards.

Earlier, the Director-General of the Kelechi G’eme Karia Movement, Kelechi Nwosu, said the organisation had established structures across Abia’s 17 local government areas, 184 wards and 4,006 polling units.

Nwosu said the group was targeting more than 80,000 votes for Anosike and planning a one-million-man march across the 17 LGAs, starting from Umuahia North.

He also requested a branded campaign vehicle, office accommodation and representation in the state campaign council.

The movement’s coordinator in Ugwunagbo Local Government Area, Azubuike Moses, similarly appealed for mobilisation support, while the group’s Woman Leader, Mrs Juliet Kalu, encouraged Anosike to remain committed to his governorship ambition and pledged to mobilise additional women for the movement.