Abia State Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) governorship candidate, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has promised to pay state workers a minimum wage of N90,000 if he wins the 2027 governorship election.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Anosike explained that Abia State and its 17 local government councils receive sufficient federal allocation to fund the proposed salary increase. He stated that the financial package would include health insurance and housing support to reduce living costs for public servants and their families.
Anosike challenged the current administration’s implementation of the N70,000 national minimum wage in Abia State. He stated that despite the increase in federal allocations following fuel subsidy removal, many civil servants received actual salary raises of only N7,000 to N10,000.
“Abia worker is one of the most disadvantaged workers in Nigeria as I speak to you. In fact, it is not only the Abia worker. All workers in Abia are suffering,” Anosike said.
READ RELATED NEWS
“The minimum wage moved from N30,000 to N70,000 as approved by the Federal Government. He agreed to pay and announced it, but what did Abia workers get? Some got only N7,000 increase. Some got N10,000,” he added.
The PDP candidate stated that financial allocations to the state and local councils justify higher pay. He stated that each local government area receives roughly N500 million monthly, representing about N6 billion yearly per council.
Over a three-year period, local councils received over N300 billion, while the Abia State Government collected more than N600 billion.
“That is about N900 billion. So, when I say the state has got over N1 trillion coming into it, I mean it,” Anosike said.
To cushion the effect of inflation, Anosike stated that higher salaries must come with basic social services, particularly healthcare and housing.
“I said I will start with a N90,000 minimum wage. Not only that, there will be health insurance for them,” he said. “Because if you pay N90,000 and you do not create subsidies in some sectors and areas for the workers, it will still be a problem. The cost of medical services is very high.”
Review of displaced civil servants
Addressing reports that about 15,000 workers lost their jobs under Governor Alex Otti‘s administration, Anosike promised to set up an independent committee to review each termination.
The proposed panel will examine the date of each dismissal, the circumstances behind it, and whether the affected staff remain eligible for civil service duty.
Anosike clarified that former staff who reach the mandatory retirement age of 60 years or complete 35 years of service before the next administration takes office will not return to active roles. Instead, the state will calculate and pay their outstanding salary arrears for the period they were out of work.
“If somebody is now 60 years of age, we can no longer bring that person back into active service. But the provision for the salary arrears for the four years will be made,” he said.
Anosike promised that his administration would refrain from terminating public sector jobs on political grounds.
“You cannot downsize and sack all the people employed by your predecessor simply because they were employed by your predecessor. That is political witch-hunting,” Anosike said.
He stated that public service management under his leadership would focus on professional standards, fair treatment, and administrative continuity.
For More News Details, Visit New Daily Prime.
