The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled an ambitious rural development blueprint anchored on improved security, local government autonomy, infrastructure expansion, and agricultural transformation as part of his vision to drive inclusive growth across the state.
Establishment of Abia Rural Development Agency
Anosike, who presented the policy framework at a press conference in Abuja, said his administration would establish the Abia Rural Development Agency (ARDA) to coordinate and implement integrated development projects in rural communities across the state’s 17 local government areas. According to him, the proposed agency would focus on critical interventions in rural road construction, electrification, potable water supply, market development, agro-processing zones, and other infrastructure aimed at unlocking the economic potential of rural communities.
Comprehensive Rural Security Strategy
He stressed that sustainable development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that farmers, traders, and investors require a safe environment to operate and contribute meaningfully to economic growth. To address this, Anosike pledged to implement a comprehensive rural security strategy that would strengthen community-based security architecture through collaboration with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, vigilante groups, and local governments. He said the state’s homeland security structure would be reinforced through the deployment of modern technology, including surveillance systems, intelligence-gathering mechanisms, communication equipment, and rapid-response structures to tackle kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities.
“Our goal is simple: every Abia community must be safe for residents, farmers, traders, students, workers, and investors,” he said.
Infrastructure Development and Local Government Autonomy
The PDP candidate also promised the construction or rehabilitation of at least one major rural road in each of the 17 local government areas annually, describing connectivity as critical to stimulating commerce, attracting investment, and improving access to social services. “We cannot build a prosperous Abia if prosperity stops at Aba and Umuahia. The real Abia lives in our villages, farms, markets, and communities. That is where our government will go,” he stated.
Anosike lamented what he described as the longstanding neglect of rural communities, arguing that development in the state has largely favoured urban centres while many villages continue to lack basic infrastructure and economic opportunities. On local government administration, he pledged to operate a democratically elected, financially autonomous, and transparent local government system that would empower communities to identify and pursue their development priorities. He said local councils would no longer function as mere appendages of the state government but would be repositioned as engines of grassroots development, service delivery, and rural security coordination.
Agricultural Transformation and Economic Empowerment
The governorship hopeful further outlined plans to expand rural electrification projects, provide clean water, modernise rural markets, establish agro-processing and industrial clusters, strengthen healthcare and educational infrastructure, and promote economic empowerment programmes across communities. Anosike linked the rural development strategy to his broader agricultural agenda under the proposed “Operation Feed Abia and Back-to-Farm Initiative,” aimed at boosting food production, creating jobs, and diversifying the state’s economy. He promised support for farmers through improved seedlings, agricultural extension services, access to affordable credit, mechanised farming, storage facilities, commodity aggregation centres, and market linkages.
The PDP candidate also disclosed plans to establish agricultural processing hubs across the state to reduce post-harvest losses, increase productivity, and improve the competitiveness of Abia-produced goods in national and international markets. He expressed confidence that improved security, functional local governments, modern infrastructure, and a thriving agricultural sector would help reduce poverty, enhance food security, and accelerate economic growth.
“No community will be left behind. Development will not stop at Aba or Umuahia; it will extend to every village, ward, and local government area,” he said. Anosike added that his administration would focus on bringing governance closer to the people while ensuring that development reaches underserved communities across the state.
