The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has promised to reinstate about 15,000 workers he said were prematurely disengaged by the state government if elected governor in 2027.
Anosike made the pledge during an interaction with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, at the union’s press centre in Umuahia.
The candidate argued that workers should not be forced out of the civil service before reaching the statutory retirement age of 60 or completing 35 years in service, except where due process applies.
“Inform those 15,000 workers that were sacked before time that Kelechi Anosike will recall all of them,” he said. He added that some of the affected workers were reportedly in their 50s and had not been subjected to queries or public inquiries before their disengagement.
Anosike said his proposed administration would adopt what he described as a welfare-focused approach to governance, with workers’ welfare, employment and economic opportunities forming part of his campaign priorities.
He also promised to introduce a minimum wage of ₦90,000 across the state and said workers who would have reached 60 years or completed 35 years by 2027 would instead be properly retired, with outstanding entitlements addressed.
The pledge is likely to attract attention among public-sector workers and their families, particularly as employment, salaries, pensions and welfare remain major issues in political campaigns.
Anosike also linked unemployment among young people to limited economic opportunities, promising industrialisation, investment and skills-development programmes to create jobs within Abia.
The PDP candidate further urged journalists to scrutinise political promises rather than merely publicise them, saying the media should hold future administrations accountable for their policies and outcomes.
The controversy over the number of disengaged workers has featured in Abia’s political debate since Governor Alex Otti assumed office. The state PDP previously alleged that more than 15,000 workers were affected by government reforms, while the administration has defended its broader efforts to restructure the public service.
With the 2027 governorship election approaching, Anosike’s promise places workers’ welfare and public-sector reform at the centre of his campaign message.
