The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 election in Abia State, Dr Kelechi Anosike, has pledged to implement a ₦90,000 minimum wage across the public service if elected governor.

Anosike, a lawyer, also promised to address challenges hindering full financial autonomy for local governments, improve workers’ welfare and introduce reforms aimed at strengthening the state’s civil service.
Speaking on Thursday after being presented to journalists at the PDP state secretariat in Umuahia by the party’s State Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, Anosike said his administration would prioritise the welfare of workers.

Describing himself as a welfarist, he said no worker under his administration would be denied his or her legitimate entitlements.
“A labourer deserves to be paid his or her wages promptly. As a welfare-oriented leader, I will ensure that no one around me suffers,” he said.

The PDP candidate also promised to implement measures that would facilitate full financial autonomy for local governments, establish a Civil Service College, introduce car loan schemes for workers and improve conditions of service across the state.
He said he would revive the development philosophy of the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara, through policies focused on agriculture, infrastructure and economic development.

Anosike argued that Abia has sufficient financial resources but said they had not been effectively managed.
He also credited President Bola Tinubu for removing the fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased allocations to states and improved their financial capacity.

According to him, states now receive significantly higher revenues than before, reducing their dependence on borrowing.
The PDP governorship candidate criticised the state government’s ban on commercial motorcycle operations, saying adequate alternatives had not been provided.

He pledged to pursue what he described as a holistic approach to governance if elected in 2027.
Earlier, PDP State Chairman Elder Abraham Amah said Anosike’s emergence as the party’s flag bearer reflected the collective will of party members and positioned the PDP to offer Abians a credible alternative in the next governorship election.

He described the governorship candidate as a leader with intellectual depth, legal expertise, administrative competence and political maturity.
According to Amah, the PDP believes governance should be assessed by tangible achievements rather than public relations or political rhetoric.

He argued that despite increased federal allocations to states following the removal of fuel subsidy, the current Abia State Government has failed to deliver commensurate development.
“Abians deserve a government that can translate public resources into visible development, economic opportunities, improved infrastructure, job creation, institutional discipline and a better quality of life,” Amah said.

He added that the party’s consultative and democratic processes produced Anosike as the candidate best suited to lead Abia State and drive its economic renewal.