2027: Abia PDP candidate vows to restore civil service

Abia PDP Gubernatorial Candidate, Kelechi Anosike

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has promised to restore the dignity of the civil service through a comprehensive welfare package for workers, including a N90,000 minimum wage, health insurance and the recall of 15,000 sacked workers.
Anosike made the promise on Tuesday during an interview on Arise TV’s Morning Show, where he outlined his proposed welfare-driven approach to governance.
He expressed concern over the condition of workers in the state, particularly senior civil servants, saying it was unacceptable for directors to struggle with transportation to their workplaces.
Anosike said workers would not be retired before reaching the stipulated retirement age under his administration.
“As a welfarist, we play by the rules. If the rule says you retire at 60 years or after 35 years of service, and you have not gotten there, we will not retire you,” he said.
He added that his administration would bring back the 15,000 workers he claimed were dismissed prematurely, noting that their removal had affected their families.
“Those 15,000 workers sacked before their time, we will recall them because behind every sacked worker is a family struggling to feed and pay school fees,” Anosike said.
The PDP candidate said the least-paid civil servant, including a school certificate holder, would earn N90,000 under his proposed wage structure.
He also promised to provide official vehicles for directors and magistrates.
“A situation where directors are using tricycles to go to work will stop. Directors and magistrates will get official cars,” he said.
Anosike said his proposed Civil Service Care and Pension Plus scheme would provide health insurance, medical allowances and prompt payment of promotion and leave allowances.
He further pledged to settle outstanding gratuities, pensions and allowances within his first 100 days in office.
According to him, the measures are aimed at creating a motivated and productive workforce.
On revenue generation, Anosike said governance should go beyond awarding road contracts, promising to attract foreign direct investment and utilise the state’s mineral resources to finance his proposed programmes.
He identified gypsum in Lokpanta, limestone in Arochukwu and Isuikwuato, as well as dormant oil wells, as resources that could be developed to increase the state’s internally generated revenue.
Anosike also promised to end the daily taxation of petty traders, including barrow and truck pushers and akara sellers, which he claimed could amount to N350,000 annually for some traders.
He also criticised the state’s industrial relations record, alleging that judicial workers had embarked on strike four times in three years.
“What is on the ground in Abia is completely different from what is being shown on social media. Judicial workers have gone on strike four times in three years,” he said.
Anosike said his proposed welfare programmes were achievable, claiming that the state had received nearly N1.7tn in the past three years.
He said local governments, which he claimed receive between N500m and N750m monthly, would be allowed to deploy their funds for development under his proposed “Let Your Money Work For You” policy.
On his chances in the governorship race, Anosike said voters would assess the administration based on its impact on their welfare rather than social media projections.
He also commended the national and state leadership of the PDP for providing him with the platform to contest the election.

• Otti lauds veteran journalist Amuta’s memoir, literary feat
• 2027: Wike, APC govs clash over Rainbow Coalition
• Supporters back Abia gov

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.