The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2027 Abia State governorship election, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has thrown down the gauntlet with a raft of promises, chief among them a N90,000 minimum wage for workers. Speaking at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia, Anosike declared that his administration would operate on a “welfarist philosophy,” with the welfare of the people as its compass.
Anosike didn't stop at just a higher wage. He also vowed to revisit the cases of workers who he claims were unlawfully retired, meaning they were let go before reaching the official retirement age or completing their required years of service. If these workers are found to have been wrongfully dismissed, they'll be recalled, while those who have since met the retirement criteria will have their situations handled according to the law. "We will not shortchange the system, but the people must come first," he assured.
He argued that the removal of the petrol subsidy, which has increased revenue for states, should translate into tangible benefits for citizens. According to Anosike, this boost in public funds should be channeled into social protection and welfare programmes. "The balancing effect of subsidy removal is to use the increased revenue and create other subsidies for the people — social protection mechanisms, productive investments and welfare packages," he explained.
Beyond wages and worker rights, Anosike plans to tackle economic burdens through targeted interventions in critical sectors like healthcare and transportation. He envisions a healthcare system where the government significantly subsidises medical bills for beneficiaries via a planned health insurance and hospital support scheme. Affordable transportation, including support for mass transit, is also on his agenda.
His educational policy, dubbed "No Abia Student Left Behind," aims to ensure that graduates leave tertiary institutions with more than just certificates. Anosike stressed the importance of practical skills acquisition alongside academic qualifications. "Never again will any graduate finish with only certificates. You complete your certificate and then you have a skill or you have learnt a trade," he stated.
Graduates who acquire these skills will also be eligible for start-up support to establish their own businesses. Anosike believes that while government can't create white-collar jobs for everyone, it can foster an environment where young people become employers. To that end, his administration would also set up a traders’ microfinance initiative to provide accessible funding for small and medium-sized businesses, alongside grants and cooperative financing for young entrepreneurs.
The PDP candidate also promised to upgrade medical facilities in tertiary institutions across the state, ensuring students have access to well-equipped healthcare centres, particularly for emergencies. This upgrade would extend to indigenes studying in private institutions within Abia.
Anosike's political slogan, "People First, Abia Always," encapsulates his vision for governance, aiming to balance citizen welfare with fiscal responsibility. He indicated that a comprehensive manifesto detailing his plans and programmes would be released soon, emphasizing that the 2027 election should be decided on plans and measurable results, not just slogans.