… Says, ‘We will not build infrastructure at the expense of human lives’

Abia State is not poor but its resources are poorly managed, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State for the 2027 election, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has declared.

He however said that with prudent leadership and people-oriented policies, Abia State has sufficient resources to transform the lives of its people, including workers, pensioners, and ordinary citizens, and also ensure a holistic infrastructural development.

Anosike, frowned at what he described as social media-driven and propaganda-based governance in the state under Governor Alex Otti, which he said is far removed from the realities on the ground.

He promised a comprehensive welfare-driven governance agenda designed to restore dignity to civil servants, guarantee social protection for pensioners, and reposition the public service as the engine room of government.

The PDP candidate pledged that one of the first major actions of his administration upon assuming office in May 2027, would be the implementation of the N90,000 national minimum wage for civil servants in Abia State.

According to him, workers deserve not only better salaries but also a comprehensive welfare package that addresses their 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 N90,000 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 a government that neglects its workforce ultimately weakens its own 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 N85,000, while Imo State pays N104,000. We sympathize 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.

He further disclosed that his administration would establish a comprehensive health insurance scheme for all civil servants under what he termed the Civil Service Care Programme.

Anosike maintained that quality healthcare should not be the exclusive preserve of the wealthy but a fundamental right available to every worker who serves the state, as well as other citizens.

“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.

The PDP candidate lamented the economic realities confronting many workers, noting that rising healthcare costs have pushed numerous families into financial hardship.

According to him, his administration would remove that burden and ensure that public servants have access to quality medical care without fear of financial ruin.

Anosike challenged the narrative that Abia lacks the financial capacity to fund ambitious welfare programmes.nInstead, he blamed what he described as poor management and misplaced priorities for the hardship Abians.

“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.

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

“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 the suffering endured by many retirees who devoted decades of their lives to serving the state, only to spend their retirement years battling 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.

The PDP flagbearer promised that his administration would establish a dedicated pension intervention programme known as PensionPlus, aimed at systematically clearing outstanding pension arrears while guaranteeing 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.

Giving further insight into his administration’s priorities, Anosike disclosed that the proposed worker-centred reforms would commence within the first 100 days of his government.

He said the reforms would signal a decisive departure from what he described as years of neglect and would establish a new relationship between government and its workforce.

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

As part of efforts to modernise the public service, Anosike announced plans to establish a world-class Abia Civil Service College and Executive Lounge dedicated to continuous professional development and capacity building.

The institution, he explained, would serve as a centre for 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 noted that governments achieve lasting success only when they invest in the knowledge and capacity of those entrusted with implementing 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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