The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 elections in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has pledged to establish a world class Common Facility Centre (CFC) in Aba to strengthen the state’s leather and garment industries.
Anosike made the promise during a meeting with representatives of the Aba Leather and Garment Clusters, a group said to have more than 200,000 members, as part of his ongoing campaign tour of the commercial city.
He explained that the proposed facility would be a solar-powered industrial and technical hub equipped with modern machinery to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly young tailors, shoemakers and garment makers, produce goods that meet international standards without having to invest heavily in expensive equipment.
According to the candidate, the centre would adopt a model similar to one operated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in Abuja, where artisans can pay a stipulated fee to access industrial machines and complete orders for their customers.
Anosike recalled that a similar facility established in Aba in 2008 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the Federal Government and Abia State Government, was allegedly vandalised, mismanaged and eventually abandoned.
He pledged to revive the concept as part of his proposed economic empowerment strategy, arguing that access to modern equipment would improve productivity, create jobs and strengthen locally manufactured products.
Beyond the proposed Common Facility Centre, the PDP candidate promised to establish a Traders Microfinance Bank that would provide interest free loans and grants to traders and business clusters to expand production and reduce dependence on imported goods.
He argued that Nigeria could create thousands of jobs by supporting small businesses to manufacture products locally, noting that the country has significant raw materials that could be used to reduce import dependence.
Describing his economic philosophy as “productive welfarism,” Anosike said his campaign slogan, “Aruo Uzo, Aruo Afo”—which he explained as building roads and building people reflected his belief that infrastructure development must go hand in hand with economic empowerment.
“I’m a welfarist, and welfarism is not to give you handouts; it’s to empower you to support the state. It is called productive welfarism,” he said.
The candidate also criticised what he described as taxes that place an unfair burden on low-income earners and promised to abolish them if elected. He further questioned the level of welfare support available to residents despite what he described as an increase in monthly federal allocations to Abia State.
Speaking on behalf of the cluster representatives, the National Secretary of the Aba Leather and Garment Clusters, Mr. Ken Anyanwu, said the delegation met with Anosike to introduce the association and discuss ways to upgrade its members’ businesses to international standards.
Anyanwu, who also serves as a cooperative president, described Aba’s leather and garment industries as major contributors to economic activity across Africa, lamenting what he characterised as years of neglect by successive state administrations.
He maintained that small and medium-sized enterprises should be prioritised because of their potential to generate employment and stimulate economic growth. He also expressed support for Anosike’s proposed policies, saying the candidate’s manifesto offered prospects for the clusters.
Political figures present at the meeting included the Abia State PDP Deputy Chairman and Abia South senatorial candidate, Chinyere Onuoha; Aba North/Aba South federal constituency candidate, Bob Ajuzieogu; Aba Central House of Assembly candidate, Anastasia Uchenna; Hon. Daniel Ajunwa, popularly known as Obere Agu; and other PDP candidates contesting state constituency seats.
Also speaking at the event, the state Director of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Chris-Monike Chika, appealed to political parties to prioritise the safety of corps members before, during and after elections in Abia State, urging political leaders to treat them with care and responsibility.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
