The 2027 governorship race in Abia State is heating up as PDP candidate Dr. Kelechi Anosike lays out an ambitious welfare agenda, including the reinstatement of over 15,000 civil servants allegedly disengaged by the current administration.
Dr. Kelechi Anosike, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Abia State, has made a sweeping promise to recall more than 15,000 civil servants who were allegedly sacked or prematurely retired by the present administration if he is elected governor in 2027 .
Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia, Anosike criticized the administration of Governor Alex Otti, arguing that a welfarist government would not retire workers who have not attained the statutory milestones of 35 years of service or 60 years of age . He questioned the rationale behind the sackings, noting that many affected workers were between 50 and 52 years old and were let go without any queries or public inquiries .
"Inform those 15,000 workers that were sacked before time that Kelechi Anosike will recall all of them," he declared, framing the promise as a core commitment of his campaign .
A Comprehensive Welfare Agenda
The promise to recall sacked workers is just one component of a broader welfare-focused agenda Anosike is presenting to Abia voters. If elected, he has pledged to:
· Implement a N90,000 Minimum Wage: This figure surpasses both the national benchmark and the wage paid in neighbouring states .
· Clear Outstanding Entitlements: He promised to offset promotional arrears, pension liabilities, and gratuity shortfalls owed to civil servants, with a particular focus on clearing these obligations within his first 100 days in office .
· Establish a Health Insurance Scheme: Anosike has pledged a women-friendly administration that will pay 60% of women's medical bills under a new health insurance scheme .
"Abia is Not Poor, But Poorly Managed"
Central to Anosike's campaign is the assertion that Abia State's developmental challenges stem from poor management rather than a lack of resources. He argued that while the current administration has been making progress in road construction, it has failed to deliver holistic development across critical sectors like health, education, and agriculture .
“Abia is not poor, but Abia is poorly managed,” Anosike stated, pointing to the increased revenue states have received following the removal of fuel subsidies and arguing that the funds have not translated into commensurate development for the people . "The difference between one state and another is management, and unfortunately, Abia is poorly managed," he insisted .
A Focus on Youth and Industrialization
Beyond civil service reforms, Anosike is targeting youth unemployment through ambitious industrialization and digital economy plans. He proposed the creation of the Abia Global Opportunities Agency to train youths for high-paying remote international jobs, enabling them to work from their villages in Abia and earn foreign currency .
He also unveiled plans to launch "Operation Feed Abia," a back-to-farm policy aimed at eliminating hunger and generating agricultural produce for export through modernized farm settlements .
Challenges and Counter-Narratives
However, Anosike's campaign has not gone unchallenged. Some analysts and commentators have pointed out that many of his proposed "new agenda" items are programmes Governor Otti is already implementing, such as wage reforms, agricultural training, and digital skills development. The Abia NLC chairman has publicly commended Otti for implementing the national minimum wage and maintaining engagement with labour .
Furthermore, the PDP's claim that Otti is unconcerned about workers' old debts has been countered with reports that the administration has spent more than ₦40 billion within its first two years to clear inherited salary and pension arrears .
As the 2027 election approaches, the debate over workers' welfare, industrial policy, and the management of the state's resources is set to dominate the political discourse in Abia State.
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