The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has said the state has enough resources to improve workers’ welfare, clear pension obligations and fund development projects if properly managed.
Anosike said Abia was not poor but poorly managed, adding that his administration would pursue people-centred policies that prioritise workers, pensioners and ordinary citizens while also delivering infrastructure development.
He criticised what he described as social media-driven governance in the state and promised a welfare-focused agenda aimed at restoring dignity to civil servants and repositioning the public service.
The PDP candidate pledged that one of his first major actions if elected governor would be the implementation of the ₦90,000 national minimum wage for civil servants.
“I am a welfarist by nature. I hate to see people suffer. As Governor of Abia State, I shall implement the ₦90,000 National Minimum Wage for civil servants, backed by a strong welfare architecture that protects workers and restores dignity to public service,” Anosike declared.
He argued that workers deserve not only better pay but also improved welfare packages, including healthcare and professional development opportunities.
“It is sad that what a Level 1 worker earns in Imo State is close to what a Level 9 officer earns in Abia State. This injustice must change. It is public knowledge that today, Ebonyi and Enugu States pay a minimum wage of about ₦85,000, while Imo State pays ₦104,000,” he said.
Anosike also promised to introduce free health insurance for civil servants through a Civil Service Care Programme.
“Beyond salaries, we will introduce free health insurance for all civil servants under our Civil Service Care Programme because quality healthcare is a right, not a privilege. A healthy workforce is the foundation of a productive government,” he stated.
The PDP candidate said rising healthcare costs had placed many workers under financial pressure and pledged to remove that burden through government support.
“Abia is not poor, but the state is currently being poorly managed. There are enough resources and funds within our state to pay workers fairly, clear pension obligations, and still invest massively in development,” he said.
He added: “Our government will build infrastructure and also build lives. We will not build infrastructure at the expense of the people’s lives. Abians need to be alive to use the infrastructure. Our policy is simple: People First.”
Anosike also promised reforms for pensioners, saying his administration would establish a PensionPlus programme to clear pension arrears and provide health insurance coverage.
“To every Abia civil servant and pensioner, salvation has come. No worker who labours faithfully for the state should live in hardship. No pensioner who spent the best years of their life in service should retire into suffering, abandonment, and uncertainty,” he said.
“Our pensioners will not be forgotten. We shall establish a Pension Care Programme called PensionPlus, where all pension arrears will be systematically cleared while ensuring free health insurance coverage for pensioners, so that those who served our state do not spend their retirement in pain and neglect,” Anosike pledged.
He said the proposed reforms would begin within the first 100 days of his administration and would be supported by plans to establish an Abia Civil Service College and Executive Lounge for training, leadership development and career advancement.
“We shall establish a modern Abia Civil Service College and Executive Lounge for continuous professional training, leadership development, policy education, and relaxation for our hardworking civil servants,” he said.
Anosike said his administration would focus on transparency, accountability and welfare, promising to reposition the Abia Civil Service as one of the most professional and efficient in the country.
Friday Olokor
