Abia PDP Candidate Promises N90,000 Minimum Wage, Recall of 15,000 Workers

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has promised to raise the state’s minimum wage to N90,000 and recall about 15,000 workers he said were retired or sacked before reaching the required retirement age.

Anosike made the promises while outlining his plans for Abia State, saying his administration would adopt a welfare-focused approach to governance if elected.

He said workers’ welfare would be a major part of his administration, arguing that government policies should improve the living conditions of workers and their families.

According to the PDP candidate, workers who were removed from service before reaching the stipulated retirement age would be returned to their positions. He said the policy was necessary because each affected worker had a family depending on their income.

Anosike also promised to pay a minimum wage of N90,000 in Abia, above the national minimum wage benchmark of N70,000.

He said his administration would seek to restore what he described as the dignity of the state civil service, including providing official vehicles for directors and magistrates.

The candidate further promised to clear outstanding workers’ allowances, pensions and gratuities within his first 100 days in office if elected.

He said promotion and leave allowances would be paid when workers became entitled to them, adding that government employees should receive their lawful benefits alongside their salaries.

On education, Anosike said his administration would combine university education with practical skills acquisition. He proposed providing entrepreneurship grants to graduates and other students who acquire vocational skills and want to establish businesses.

He also announced plans for a traders’ microfinance bank to be headquartered in Aba, saying the initiative would provide financial support to traders and small businesses.

The PDP candidate proposed an agricultural programme known as Operation Feed Abia, which he described as a back-to-farm policy aimed at increasing food production and improving access to food for residents.

Anosike also criticised the taxation system in the state, describing the burden on low-income residents and small traders as excessive.

He said his proposed administration would review the tax collection system and ensure that taxation did not place undue pressure on people operating small businesses.

The candidate cited petty traders, including women selling akara, as examples of people who he said were being subjected to daily levies. He said his government would seek to shift more of the tax burden towards wealthier residents while using the revenue to support poorer members of society.

Anosike said the overall objective of his proposed policies was to place residents at the centre of governance and improve welfare, employment opportunities, education, agriculture and support for businesses across Abia.