2027: I’ll Pay ₦90,000 Minimum Wage, Build Infrastructure and Put People First — PDP Guber Candidate, Anosike

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled an ambitious people-centred agenda for the state, promising to implement a ₦90,000 minimum wage, expand infrastructure, and introduce comprehensive welfare programmes for workers and pensioners if elected in 2027.

Anosike, a lawyer, ICT expert and entrepreneur, maintained that Abia possesses the resources required for rapid development but has suffered from poor management over the years.

According to him, the state is “not poor but poorly managed,” insisting that prudent leadership and people-oriented policies would transform the lives of citizens while delivering sustainable infrastructural development.

Speaking during an interview in Lagos, made available to Dailytrail news, the PDP flagbearer criticized what he described as governance driven by social media narratives and propaganda under the administration of Governor Alex Otti, arguing that such narratives do not reflect the realities experienced by many residents.

He stated that his administration would pursue a comprehensive welfare agenda aimed at restoring dignity to civil servants, providing social protection for pensioners, and repositioning the public service as the engine room of government.

Promises ₦90,000 Minimum Wage
Anosike pledged that one of the first major decisions of his administration upon assumption of office in May 2027 would be the implementation of the ₦90,000 national minimum wage for civil servants in Abia State.

He explained that workers deserve not only improved salaries but also an effective welfare system that guarantees 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 governorship hopeful argued that the welfare of workers should never be treated as an afterthought, stressing that any government that neglects its workforce ultimately weakens its capacity to deliver meaningful development.

He lamented the disparity in workers’ earnings across neighbouring states, saying it was unacceptable that a Level One worker in Imo State earns almost what a Level Nine officer receives in Abia.

“It is sad that what a Level One worker earns in Imo State is close to what a Level Nine officer earns in Abia State. This injustice must change. It is public knowledge that Ebonyi and Enugu States pay about ₦85,000 minimum wage, while Imo State pays ₦104,000. We sympathize with Abia workers, but our promise is to change the narrative. We ask them not only to support us but to partner with us in reclaiming Abia and restoring dignity to the workforce,” he said.

Free Health Insurance for Civil Servants
Beyond salary improvements, Anosike disclosed that his administration would establish a comprehensive health insurance scheme for all civil servants under a proposed Civil Service Care Programme.
He argued that access to quality healthcare should not be reserved for the wealthy but should be a fundamental right for every worker serving the state.

“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 noted that rising healthcare costs have plunged many families into financial hardship and promised that his government would remove that burden by ensuring access to quality medical care without fear of financial ruin.

‘Abia Is Not Poor’
Rejecting claims that the state lacks the financial capacity to fund such programmes, Anosike blamed poor management and misplaced priorities for the hardship experienced by many residents.

“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 stated.

He further argued that good governance should not be measured solely by the number of projects commissioned but by the positive impact government policies have on the lives of ordinary citizens.

“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.

PensionPlus for Retirees
Expressing concern over the plight of pensioners, Anosike lamented that many retirees who devoted decades to public service now spend their retirement battling poverty, ill health, and uncertainty.

He assured them that relief was on the way under his proposed administration.
“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 announced plans to establish a dedicated pension intervention programme known as PensionPlus, which would systematically clear outstanding pension arrears while providing free health insurance 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,” he pledged.

Reforms to Begin Within 100 Days
Anosike disclosed that the proposed worker-centred reforms would commence within the first 100 days of his administration, describing them as a decisive break from years of neglect.

According to him, a motivated civil service remains indispensable for effective governance, economic growth, and successful policy implementation.

As part of efforts to modernize the public service, he also announced plans to establish a world-class Abia Civil Service College and Executive Lounge dedicated to continuous professional development, leadership training, policy education, innovation, administrative excellence, and career advancement for civil servants.
“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.

The PDP candidate maintained that governments achieve lasting success only when they invest in the knowledge and capacity of those responsible for implementing public policies.

He pledged that his administration would prioritize transparency, accountability, workers’ 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,” Anosike declared.