The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has promised to raise the state’s minimum wage to N90,000 and recall more than 15,000 workers allegedly disengaged by the present administration if elected governor in 2027.
Anosike disclosed this yesterday while interacting with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, at their monthly congress where he unveiled aspects of his proposed welfare-oriented agenda for the state.
He said workers who were disengaged but have not attained the statutory retirement age of 60 or completed 35 years in service would be considered for recall.
According to him, those due for retirement by 2027 would be properly retired, with outstanding entitlements paid.
The PDP candidate also pledged to complete the abandoned NUJ Secretariat in Abia within his first 100 days in office, describing the welfare of journalists as essential to strengthening the media’s constitutional role in society.
He said his administration would support the media without compromising its independence, insisting that journalists must remain free to scrutinise government policies and hold public officials accountable.
Anosike described the media as a critical partner in governance and urged journalists to focus on how government policies affect ordinary citizens.
“The journalist’s microphone is more of a microscope and not a megaphone of politicians,” he said.
He also proposed a “No Abia Student Left Behind” policy under which students would have access to grants and improved opportunities for education, skills acquisition and employment.
According to him, a welfare-oriented government should focus not merely on distributing money but on creating sustainable jobs and opportunities for citizens.
“We will not only build infrastructure; we will build people,” he said, adding that his administration would introduce an “Operation Feed Abia” programme.
On the state’s economy, Anosike promised to increase internally generated revenue without imposing additional taxes on residents.
He said Abia would be opened to serious investors and foreign direct investment, arguing that increased industrial activity would expand the state’s revenue base and create employment.
The candidate also advocated greater economic development at the local government level, saying councils should deploy their monthly allocations to productive ventures, including industries, rather than depend entirely on the state government.
On the oil-producing areas of the state, Anosike pledged to establish a Ministry of Petroleum to coordinate the sector and protect the interests of host communities.
He expressed concern over the poor condition of roads in oil-producing areas and the alleged lack of adequate corporate social responsibility by oil companies.
He also promised to work towards restoring non-functional oil wells and ensuring that host communities are not short-changed in the exploitation of the state’s petroleum resources.
On housing, Anosike said his administration would increase the supply of affordable homes in Umuahia and promote mortgage financing as part of efforts to reduce rents and make home ownership easier for residents.
He said the pressure on housing had been worsened by the movement of people from areas affected by insecurity in northern Nigeria to the South.
Anosike cited housing initiatives in Abuja as an example of how mortgage-backed schemes could help expand access to affordable accommodation.
Earlier, the PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Elder Abraham Amah, said the party had overcome its past challenges and emerged stronger ahead of the 2027 elections.
Amah expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim the Abia Government House in 2027.
The NUJ Abia State Chairman, Comrade Chidi Asonye, had earlier welcomed the PDP team and appreciated the candidates for engaging members of the media.
In his vote of thanks, the National Treasurer of NUJ, Comrade Victor Ndukwe, thanked Dr. Anosike and his team for his vision while expressing the Union’s readiness towards partnerships that will develop the people and the state.
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