The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has been leveled strong accusations against Governor Alex Otti, alleging a systematic neglect of workers’ welfare despite a significant surge in revenue accruing to the state and its 17 local government areas.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Anosike argued that the state possesses ample resources to improve salaries and working conditions. He contended that the core issue lies not in a lack of funds, but in the mismanagement of available resources, particularly following the boost in federal allocations after the removal of the national fuel subsidy.
Anosike specifically faulted the state’s implementation of the recently approved N70,000 national minimum wage, alleging that the rollout has been deeply flawed and has left many public servants with negligible raises.
“Abia worker is one of the most disadvantaged workers in Nigeria as I speak to you,” Anosike stated. “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.”
To back his claims, the PDP candidate presented a stark financial breakdown of the state’s inflows. He noted that each of the 17 local government areas receives approximately N500 million monthly, amounting to roughly N6 billion annually per council. Collectively, he estimated that local councils receive over N100 billion annually, while the state government has raked in more than N600 billion over the same three-year period.
“That is about N900 billion. So, when I say the state has got over N1 trillion coming into it, I mean it,” he asserted, arguing that this financial cushion is more than enough to sustain a robust welfare system.
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Positioning himself as a champion of labor, Anosike pledged to introduce a N90,000 minimum wage if elected in the 2027 gubernatorial election. However, he emphasized that a salary bump alone is insufficient without broader structural support to combat the rising cost of living.
“I said I will start with a N90,000 minimum wage. Not only that, there will be health insurance for them,” he explained, noting that exorbitant medical costs would otherwise negate the benefits of the raise. He also promised comprehensive housing support and educational assistance, framing worker welfare as a holistic package rather than a mere line item on a payroll.
As the 2027 election cycle begins to take shape, Anosike’s critique strikes at the heart of a critical political debate: how the wealth of a resource-rich state is distributed among its citizens. Whether his bold financial promises will resonate with the electorate remains to be seen, but his message has undeniably placed the welfare of Abia’s working class squarely at the center of the state’s political discourse.
Promise Idoko is Junior Reporter working with moderncrux He covers global politics and international affairs. Based in Nigeria,
