By Ovat Abeng
Ahead of the forthcoming Anambra People’s Democratic Party (PDP) State Congress, a chairmanship aspirant, Barrister Chidi Chidebe has expressed his desire to revive, rebuild, and reposition the party in the state for future elections.
In his campaign manifesto, Barrister Chidebe stated that he is seeking the chairmanship position to restore Anambra State PDP, which has faced setbacks over the years.
“I present to you my well-thought-out vision to revive and strengthen our dear party in the state. It is widely acknowledged that our great party, the PDP, has faced substantial challenges in recent years. Among these is the painful loss of nearly all elective positions we once held due to internal divisions, conflicts, and a lack of cohesive strategy. This setback has diminished our ability to effectively represent the interests of our people across Anambra State. However, this moment of difficulty presents an opportunity for renewal. Now, more than ever, we need a fresh, strategic approach to rebuild our party’s unity, restore the confidence of both our members and the electorate, and position ourselves for victory in the upcoming elections,” he stated.
He emphasized that a strong PDP taking over Anambra State requires decisive, visionary leadership committed to bringing people together, resolving conflicts, and focusing on the future.
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According to him, his manifesto outlines five key agendas that will guide his leadership if granted the mandate to serve as PDP State Chairman. He said each agenda is designed with clear, measurable steps and concrete Programme to ensure the successful implementation of prosperous party activities in the state.
“Our goal is not only to revitalize the party but to regain our political footing and emerge stronger and more united in the crucial battles ahead, particularly the upcoming governorship election in November 2025 and the general elections in early 2027. These agendas include strategies to promote unity, enhance party structures, strengthen relationships with our national leadership and grassroots members, foster accountability, and drive grassroots mobilization efforts that will bring us back to electoral success. Dear Party Leaders and Faithful, by working together and following these actionable plans, I am confident that we can restore the PDP as the leading political force in Anambra State and deliver the kind of leadership that our people deserve,” he said.
He said his first agenda focuses on Rebuilding Internal Unity and Party Cohesion, aimed at healing divisions, fostering collaboration, and establishing a united front across all levels of the party. He assured the establishment of a Unity and Reconciliation Committee within the first month of assuming office, composed of respected elders, youth leaders, and stakeholders tasked with resolving disputes and grievances.
Chidebe also assured that he would host a state-wide Stakeholders Conference within the first 90 days, where all factions would come together for comprehensive dialogue on key issues. He pledged to implement regular consultative meetings between party leadership and local government leaders to maintain open communication and prevent future divisions.
“I will constitute a Unity and Reconciliation Committee within 30 days, host a state-wide Stakeholders Conference within three months, and ensure regular meetings with quarterly reports. Additionally, I will establish a strategic Grassroots Mobilization and Voter Engagement initiative aimed at re-energizing the party base and increasing voter turnout by reconnecting with communities,” he assured.
He promised to launch a Grassroots Engagement Programme, named “PDP Everywhere,” within the first six months, targeting all 21 LGAs to re-establish local party structures and empower Ward-Level Mobilization Units with resources and training for door-to-door voter education, ensuring registration and engagement leading up to the governorship election in December 2025.
He also stated that he is committed to creating a Digital Outreach Team to engage young voters through social media and mobile platforms, leveraging the latest digital tools to strengthen communication with all segments of the electorate.
According to him, the Grassroots Engagement Programme will be launched by mid-2025, with Ward-level mobilization and voter education completed by September 2025, and the Digital Outreach Team will be active by January 2025.
He assured of strengthening synergy with national leadership and enhancing local government and ward relationships to create harmonious and effective relationships with the PDP’s national leadership while fostering deeper engagement with local government and ward leaderships across Anambra State.
“I will establish a Regular Dialogue Platform with National Leadership within the first 30 days of my tenure to ensure that the state’s needs align with the national party’s vision. This platform will involve periodic meetings and consultations, ensuring that Anambra State PDP remains a vital part of the national agenda. I will implement a Quarterly Leadership Forum where key stakeholders from each zone will meet with the state executive committee to discuss progress, challenges, and strategies for grassroots mobilization,” he stated.
He said the Liaison Committee will serve as a bridge between state, local, and national leaderships, ensuring seamless communication and coordination on major policy issues and elections.
According to him,regular outreach to local governments and wards will be conducted through town hall meetings, fostering inclusivity and ensuring grassroots leadership feels empowered in the party’s decision-making process.
He assured that the Dialogue Platform with National Leadership would be launched within the first 30 days of his tenure, with the Quarterly Leadership Forum operational by the first quarter of 2025.
He said the Liaison Committee will be active by April 2025, with regular outreach to local governments and wards by July 2025.
Chidebe emphasized financial transparency and resource mobilization to enhance accountability while mobilizing resources for the party’s electoral campaigns. He promised to establish a Transparent Financial Management System to ensure that all contributions and expenditures are tracked and publicly accounted for quarterly.
He also pledged to create a Fundraising Committee to collaborate with stakeholders, supporters, and the private sector to generate funds for the party’s activities, especially for the upcoming elections.
Chidebe said a Membership Dues Programme will be initiated to allow party members to contribute regularly to the party’s growth and ensure financial self-reliance.
He also said Financial Management System will be implemented within two months of taking office, the Fundraising Committee established by March 2025, and the Membership Dues Programme initiated by mid-2026.
“The Governance Accountability and Policy Advocacy objective will focus on holding elected officials accountable and positioning the PDP as the voice of the people in advocating for good governance and impactful policies” he said.
Chidebe plans to establish a Good Governance Monitoring Team to evaluate the performance of PDP members in public office and ensure they deliver on their promises.
He intends to host a Policy Advocacy Summit every six months, bringing together policy experts, lawmakers, and party members to discuss pressing issues such as security, education, and infrastructure, while shaping the party’s stance on these matters.
Chidebe pledged to create a Legislative Support Desk within the party headquarters to assist elected officials with policy research, legislation drafting, and constituency engagement. Additionally, he said he will establish a Planning, Evaluation, Monitoring, Documentation, and Advocacy Unit responsible for documenting and dissecting current government policies in the state and the federation.
”This unit will critique these policies and provide valuable, well-researched alternative courses of action as a constructive opposition party, aimed at improving governance and advancing citizens’ well-being. The findings and recommendations of the unit will be shared regularly with both party leadership and the followership,” added.
He stated that the Good Governance Monitoring Team would be operational within three months, with the first Policy Advocacy Summit scheduled for October 2025, followed by regular bi-annual meetings.
“The Legislative Support Desk will be active by April 2025, while the Planning, Evaluation, Monitoring, Documentation, and Advocacy Unit will be fully functional by January 2025, providing regular critiques and policy briefs to party leadership quarterly” he said.
Chidebe believes these key agendas are designed to reinvigorate the PDP, restore confidence among party members, and ultimately lead to success in both the 2025 governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
He said each step will be pursued with transparency, accountability, and the full involvement of every PDP member.
“By implementing this plan, we will not only revive the PDP in Anambra State but also build a party that stands as a united, progressive force capable of delivering good governance and winning elections. Esteemed Party Leaders and Faithful, I humbly ask for your support and commitment to join me in making this vision a reality. Together, we can rebuild and strengthen our great party, ensuring a brighter and more victorious future for the PDP in Anambra State. Your vote, trust, and dedication are essential to this journey. Let us stand united and work hand in hand to create a party that is stronger, more cohesive, and prepared for the challenges ahead. Together, we will make the PDP stronger and ready to lead,” he added.
