ABIA 2027: Building People‑Centred Infrastructure – Anosike, PDP Governor Candidate

…Says Abia’s not poor, but poorly managed

By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor

Dr. Kelechi Anosike, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Abia State, has pledged to develop infrastructure and improve welfare for residents if elected.

He criticised Abia’s low wage levels, stating that the state should pay a minimum wage of ₦90,000.

Anosike, a lawyer, ICT expert and entrepreneur, said that Abia is not economically disadvantaged but is mismanaged. He argued that with sound leadership and people‑oriented policies, the state has sufficient resources to transform the lives of workers, pensioners and ordinary citizens, and to achieve comprehensive infrastructure development.

Speaking in Lagos, he condemned what he described as social‑media‑driven, propaganda‑based governance under Governor Alex Otti, claiming it was disconnected from reality.

He said he would pursue a welfare‑driven agenda that restores dignity to civil servants, guarantees social protection for pensioners, and repositions the public service as the engine of government.

₦90,000 minimum wage

Anosike pledged that one of the first actions of his administration, upon taking office in May 2027, would be to implement the ₦90,000 national minimum wage for civil servants in Abia State.

He argued that workers deserve not only higher salaries but also a comprehensive welfare package covering healthcare, professional development and overall wellbeing.

“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.

The candidate warned that neglecting the workforce weakens a government’s capacity to deliver development.

“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. We sympathise with Abia workers, but our promise to them is that we are here to change the narrative. That is why we are asking them not just to support us, but to partner with us in the project to reclaim Abia and restore dignity to the workforce,” Anosike said.

Comprehensive health insurance

He added that his administration would launch a comprehensive health insurance scheme for all civil servants under the 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.

He noted that rising healthcare costs have pushed many families into financial hardship and said his administration would remove that burden.

Anosike challenged the view that Abia lacks the financial capacity for ambitious welfare programmes, blaming poor management and misplaced priorities for the state’s hardships.

“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.

How to measure good governance

He argued that good governance should be judged by the impact of policies on ordinary people rather than by the number of projects commissioned.

“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,” he added.

He expressed concern over retirees who, after decades of service, face poverty, ill health and uncertainty.

“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.

Pension intervention measure

The PDP flagbearer promised a dedicated pension intervention programme called PensionPlus, aimed at clearing outstanding pension arrears and providing healthcare coverage for retirees.

“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 worker‑centred reforms would begin within the first 100 days of his administration, signalling a decisive departure from years of neglect.

He added that a motivated civil service is essential to effective governance, economic growth and policy implementation.

To modernise the public service, Anosike announced plans to establish a world‑class Abia Civil Service College and an Executive Lounge for continuous professional development and capacity building.

“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.

He noted that lasting success requires investment in the knowledge and capacity of those who implement public policies.

He promised that his administration would prioritise transparency, accountability, welfare and people‑centred governance.

“We will reposition the Abia Civil Service to become one of the most professional, efficient and respected in Nigeria. To every civil servant and pensioner in Abia: hope is here. Dignity is returning. Welfare is coming. Justice is coming,” he declared.

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