By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Anambra State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the wee hours of Thursday elected new party executives with Comrade Chidi Chidebe as Chairman.

The party delegates in the state had on Wednesday gathered at the Prof Dora Akwuyili Women Development Centre in Awka for the congress that birthed the new leadership. Chidebe?s victory was announced around 4:05am after defeating his opponent, Mr. Amechi Onowu, with 1,080 to 960 votes.

Declaring Chidebe the winner, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, who chaired the Anambra PDP Congress Committee, urged him to rebuild, restore, and reconcile all aggrieved party members in the state.

He described Anambra State as critical to the party, saying that victories can only be celebrated when all members are united under one umbrella.

While urging Chidebe to engage with all those who contested the election.

Osaai expressed satisfaction that the congress was peaceful, fair, and transparent, as promised.

Osaai added: ?Just 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.

?I urge the new executive to work harmoniously to secure a win in the 2025 gubernatorial elections.?

Speaking after he was declared winner, Chidebe stated that his administration would focus on reconciling aggrieved members, increasing party membership, and embarking on grassroots campaigns to regain public trust.

He described the victory as an act of God, and further 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 added: ?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 main targets would be reviving, rebuilding, and repositioning the PDP for a victorious future, which was central to his campaign agenda.

?My campaign manifesto is centred 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.

?My agenda on financial transparency and resource mobilisation aims to enhance transparency and accountability while mobilising resources for the party?s electoral campaigns and administration, to be implemented within two months of taking office.

?I will focus on governance accountability and policy advocacy, seek to hold elected officials accountable, and position the PDP as the voice of the people in advocating for good governance and impactful policies.?

Chidebe hailed the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, his deputy, Mr Ifeanyi Ossai, members of the electoral committee, the INEC, the security, and the media for ensuring a huge success of the process.

He further appealed to co-contestants to join hands with him to work together to unseat the APGA-led government in the state come 2025 governorship.

On her part, Woman Leader of the PDP, Mrs Calista Admachukwu, assured that the party would focus on grassroots mobilisation, assuring her commitment to peace and unity within the party.

The congress also witnessed the presence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by the State Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Ugwu.