Abia 2027: PDP Candidate Kelechi Anosike Slams Gov Alex Otti Over Civil Servants’ Welfare
Political tension is rising ahead of the 2027 Abia State Governorship Election. Dr. Kelechi Anosike, the gubernatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has leveled serious criticisms against the incumbent governor, Alex Otti of the Labour Party (LP).
Addressing journalists on Thursday in Abuja, Dr. Anosike expressed concern over what he described as deteriorating welfare conditions for public sector workers in Abia State. He pointed out the daily commuting realities faced by senior officials as evidence of these systemic issues.
Senior Directors Commuting in Tricycles: The Core Allegation
Dr. Anosike highlighted that civil servants in Abia State are facing economic difficulties due to stagnant welfare packages and inadequate official provisions.
He emphasized that high-ranking state officials lack basic mobility support:
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Level 17 Directors in Keke NAPEP: Senior directors in state ministries regularly commute using commercial tricycles (Keke NAPEP) due to a lack of official vehicles.
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Magistrates Without Official Transport: Unlike neighboring states where judicial officers receive official cars, magistrates in Abia State commute without state-provided vehicles.
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Inconsistent Minimum Wage Payments: Despite federal allocations, state workers receive varying wage amounts ranging between ₦50,000 and ₦70,000, missing national benchmarks.
“Magistrates in other states and directors have official cars, but no magistrate in Abia has an official car. In this regard, directors go to work in tricycles in Abia—a Level 17 director. We want to restore the dignity of the Abia worker.”
— Dr. Kelechi Anosike, PDP Governorship Candidate
Key Campaign Promises: Anosike’s Plan for Abia Workers
To address these challenges, Dr. Anosike outlined several policy commitments aimed at restructuring state civil service operations ahead of the 2027 race:
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₦90,000 Minimum Wage: Proposed base monthly pay for state workers, exceeding the federal standard.
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Reinstatement of Terminated Staff: A plan to review and reinstate up to 15,000 workers disengaged during recent administrative audits.
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Comprehensive Health Insurance: Universal healthcare coverage for all active public service employees.
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Institutional Upgrades: Provision of official vehicles and operational assets for directors and judicial officers.
The Broader Political Context Ahead of 2027
Since taking office under the Labour Party banner, Governor Alex Otti has focused on fiscal discipline, civil service verification exercises, and state infrastructure projects. However, opposition parties have scrutinized these administrative reform programs.
With federal allocations (FAAC) increasing nationwide, opposition figures argue that increased state revenue should directly translate into higher employee compensation and better working conditions.
As campaign strategies develop across Abia State, the condition of the public sector workforce remains a key debate topic for both the opposition PDP and the ruling Labour Party leading into 2027.
