Anosike Promises ₦90,000 Minimum Wage, Recall Of 15,000 Sacked Workers, Subsidies To Ease Subsidy Burden

PDP Guber Candidate Outlines “People First” Agenda In Meeting With Abia NUJ

UMUAHIA, Abia State – The PDP Governorship Candidate for Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has promised to pay a N90,000 minimum wage, recall 15,000 workers sacked prematurely, and introduce targeted subsidies to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal if elected in 2027.

Dr. Anosike made the disclosures on Thursday during an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State Council at the NUJ Press Centre, Umuahia.

The candidate said the PDP he leads is different from the past, stressing that many of those linked with the party’s past failures “have moved to other parties.”

“I mentioned that same party, new mindset, new focus and new direction. Those people have moved to other parties, no longer in PDP,” he said.

He noted that the economic hardship following subsidy removal was a national challenge, not peculiar to Abia.

He explained that while federal allocations to states like Abia jumped from N3.5bn – N4bn to N35bn – N40bn monthly, the economic burden was transferred to citizens as PMS rose from N150 to over N1,200 and transport fares climbed from N500 to N4,000.

“Some states allocated 30% of those extra earnings to the welfare of the people. In Abia, it is zero,” he said.

Dr. Anosike outlined what he called a “People First, Abia Always” agenda:

“We will pay 90,000 minimum wage. Start off. Apply across board, not selective. The least worker will get ₦90,000.”

He also promised to recall all 15,000 workers sacked before their time. “Injustice to one is injustice to all. By the grace of God, the 6th governor of Abia will bring them back. If by 2027 you have reached 60 years or 35 years in service, we may not recall you, but we will pay you the backlog of salaries for four years.”

He proposed trust hospitals where government absorbs 60% of medical bills while citizens pay 40%. He also pledged health insurance, CNG/electric buses, and other subsidies in critical areas to lessen economic burden.

Dr. Anosike faulted the current approach of raising Internally Generated Revenue through multiple taxation.

“Taxing a truck pusher N2,000 daily is wickedness. That is not how to improve IGR. Governance is opening up the state, attracting foreign direct investment, building factories and productive economies,” he said.

He promised to establish Abia Traders’ Finance Bank for collateral-free, interest-free loans to SMEs and introduce cooperative economics to rotate funds among groups.

He announced plans for an Abia State Labour and Global Opportunities Agency, ASLOGOA, to train youths for remote jobs earning dollars, and an Abia State Rural Development Agency, ARDA, to develop all 17 LGAs.

“Abia is not only Aba and Umuahia. We will equip 17 functional primary healthcare centers with laboratories. We will open up the state so people can live and work in Arochukwu, Item, Ohafia and be comfortable,” he said.

With a background in petroleum law, he pledged a dedicated ministry for the sector, review of oil wells, and enforcement of the Petroleum Industry Act for host communities.

On housing, he promised to open new layouts with infrastructure and create mortgage options to crash rent, which he said now stands at N1.5m – N2m for a decent 2-bedroom flat.

“Every degree will come with a skill and a trade. There will be a startup grant for graduates. It’s an education that opens doors, skills that create opportunities, and a government that stands by students,” he said.

Dr. Anosike urged journalists to hold him accountable, saying: “Don’t report only our promises. Ask us how we intend to pay for them.”

He reiterated his commitment to complete the NUJ secretariat within 100 days and provide immediate support including a generator and fans for the press centre.

“The media should measure government by human outcomes. Did the road reduce transport cost? Are children learning? Can ordinary people access healthcare? That is welfarism,” he concluded.