The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State in the 2027 election, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has unveiled a welfarist governance agenda, promising to prioritise the welfare of citizens, create jobs, attract investment and reduce the economic burden on the people if elected.
Anosike made the remarks on Thursday, September 3, 2026, while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State Council, on the topic, “Relationship Between the Media, Government and the People.”

The PDP candidate said the media had a crucial role to play in promoting democratic accountability, stressing that journalists should not merely serve as a “megaphone” for government but should act as a “microscope” through which government policies and programmes could be scrutinised in the interest of the people.
the government, media and citizens must work together to ensure that governance remains centred on the welfare and development of the people.

Anosike criticised what he described as excessive taxation of low-income earners, citing the daily levies imposed on truck and wheelbarrow pushers in Aba.
He questioned the rationale behind collecting daily tickets from people who, according to him, struggle to earn enough to support themselves and their families.

“For me, that’s wickedness,” he said, arguing that increasing Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) should not be achieved by placing additional financial burdens on the poorest members of society.
He also criticised what he described as high charges for land registry inquiries, saying that such measures could discourage investment and economic activity in the state.
Anosike maintained that the way to increase Abia’ IGR was to open up the state to investment, create a productive economy and attract local and foreign investors.

He argued that awarding road contracts alone should not be regarded as the totality of governance, stressing that government must create an environment where industries, businesses and employment opportunities can thrive.
“What’s governance is to open up your state for investment. Attract serious foreign direct investment in your state. Build factories, productive economies. That’s governance,” he said.

The PDP candidate said Abia could improve its revenue base by encouraging industries and businesses to establish operations in the state, rather than relying heavily on taxes and levies imposed on individuals.

He also expressed concern over youth unemployment and the migration of young people from Abia to cities such as Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt in search of opportunities.
To address the challenge, Anosike proposed the establishment of the Abia State Labour and Global Opportunities Agency (ALGOA), which he said would equip young people with modern skills and enable them to compete for jobs in the global digital economy.

He noted that many jobs could now be performed virtually, allowing young people to live and work from different parts of Abia while serving companies and clients in other parts of Nigeria and abroad.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Rural Development Agency (ARDA) to promote development across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
development should not be concentrated in Aba and Umuahia, but should extend to communities and local government areas across the state.
“Abia is not only Aba and Umuahia. Abia is bigger than Aba and Umuahia. All the LGAs should be functional,” he said.

Anosike further promised to establish functional primary healthcare facilities across the 17 local government areas, equipped with laboratories and other necessary diagnostic facilities.
He said such investments would not only improve healthcare delivery but also create employment opportunities and encourage residents to remain in their communities rather than migrate to urban centres.

Responding to a question from a journalist on how his proposed welfarist government would differ from previous PDP administrations in the state, particularly concerning salaries, pensions and workers’ welfare, Anosike said his administration would operate with what he described as a “new mindset, new focus and new direction.”

He acknowledged concerns over the performance of previous administrations but argued that the financial challenges experienced by many states before 2023 were partly linked to the country’s wider economic situation.
the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu significantly increased revenues accruing to states but also transferred a substantial economic burden to citizens through higher transportation and living costs.

Anosike argued that governments should therefore channel part of the increased revenue into social protection and welfare programmes to cushion the effects of rising costs on citizens.
He said his proposed administration would introduce subsidies and other interventions in critical sectors, particularly healthcare.
Among his proposals, he said, was a health insurance programme under which government would absorb a substantial portion of medical expenses for citizens.
“We are trying to create subsidy in health insurance. We now said we’ll introduce health insurance and set up trust hospitals where citizens only pay 40 per cent medical bill, government absorbs 60 per cent,” he said.

Anosike also promised to pay a minimum wage of N90,000 to the least-paid worker in the state if elected, saying the policy would apply across the workforce.
He said his administration would prioritise workers’ welfare and ensure that government employment policies complied with established rules and regulations.

The PDP candidate also promised to review the cases of workers he alleged were prematurely dismissed from the Abia State public service.
who were dismissed before attaining the statutory retirement age or required years of service would be considered for recall, subject to the applicable rules.

According to him, workers who would have attained retirement age by 2027 would instead be considered for payment of outstanding salaries where applicable.
He described the principle behind the proposed policy as “People First, Abia Always,” stressing that government should serve and protect the interests of citizens while also respecting established laws and procedures.

In the education sector, Anosike said his administration would seek to ensure that graduates leave school with both academic qualifications and practical skills.

He also proposed the establishment of an Abia State Traders Microfinance Bank to provide soft loans, grants and other financial facilities to small and medium-sized businesses.
He said the proposed financial institution would provide support to traders and entrepreneurs through what he described as collateral-free and interest-free financing arrangements.

Anosike added that his administration would promote cooperative economics as another means of empowering citizens, supporting small businesses and expanding economic opportunities across the state. overall objective of his proposed administration would be to build an economy driven by investment, entrepreneurship, skills development and productive employment rather than excessive taxation.

He called on the media to continue to hold government accountable while also informing citizens about policies capable of improving their lives.
Anosike reiterated that his proposed administration would place the people at the centre of governance, insisting that economic development must ultimately translate into better living conditions and greater opportunities for the people of Abia State.

From :Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Umuahia.
4th September 2026.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Deacon Kelechi Anosike, has challenged journalists to subject government claims and projects to rigorous scrutiny, insisting that the people deserve accurate information on how public resources are being utilised.

Anosike made the call while addressing journalists in Umuahia, where he presented his assessment of governance in the state and outlined his vision for a more people-centred administration ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The PDP flag bearer, who described himself as a welfarist, said the essence of governance should go beyond the construction of roads and other physical infrastructure to include the welfare, economic empowerment and social security of citizens.

He argued that while infrastructure is important, government must also demonstrate its impact through improved living standards, employment opportunities, workers’ welfare, healthcare, education and support for vulnerable citizens.
Anosike said journalists have a critical responsibility to interrogate claims made by political actors and government officials, stressing that the media should remain a platform for accountability and the protection of the public interest.
According to him, Abia has the resources and human capacity required for meaningful development, but what is needed is a new direction, mindset and responsible leadership capable of deploying available resources for the benefit of the people.

He also criticised what he described as excessive emphasis on media publicity, arguing that projects and programmes should be evaluated on the basis of their actual impact on citizens rather than the volume of publicity surrounding them.
Anosike said his proposed administration would prioritise welfare alongside infrastructure, with emphasis on workers, pensioners, youths, women, artisans, farmers and other vulnerable groups.
The PDP candidate has consistently presented his 2027 campaign around a welfare-focused agenda, including improved workers’ welfare, rural development, agriculture, job creation and stronger grassroots governance. He has also proposed the establishment of agencies to drive rural development and connect Abia youths with global employment opportunities.

He urged journalists to continue asking difficult questions and providing citizens with facts, saying the media’s role in democratic governance goes beyond reporting political speeches to ensuring that leaders are held accountable for their promises.
Anosike, who emerged as the PDP’s governorship candidate for the 2027 election, has repeatedly said his ambition is driven by the desire to place “people first” in the governance of Abia State. �
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The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to placing women at the centre of the state’s development agenda through deliberate programmes aimed at economic empowerment, skills acquisition, access to finance, education, healthcare, technology and greater participation in governance.

The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Maureen Aghukwa, stated this at the 2026 Abia State August Women’s Delegates’ Conference in Umuahia, with the theme, “Abia Women: Empowered to Thrive.”

Dr Aghukwa said the transformation of Abia could not be complete without the full participation of women, stressing that women must be empowered to move from survival to sustainability, micro-enterprises to thriving businesses and dependence to economic independence.

She noted that the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti had created an enabling environment for citizens, particularly women and girls, to prosper, while deliberately recognising women as critical partners in the development of the state.

According to her, the government’s approach to women’s empowerment should ensure that petty traders have access to better opportunities, female farmers increase their productivity and income, and young women with innovative ideas gain access to skills, technology, finance and opportunities to build sustainable enterprises.
She also stressed the importance of quality education for girls and inclusion of women living with disabilities in the state’s development programmes.

The Commissioner commended Governor Otti for his commitment to transforming Abia and supporting programmes that promote the welfare and economic empowerment of women and girls, citing the Nigeria for Women Project as a major example of the administration’s intervention.

She equally acknowledged the contributions of the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, to the advancement of women, children and vulnerable persons in the state.

Dr Aghukwa said the First Lady had complemented government’s efforts through the Safe Tent Initiative, describing her passion for the welfare of women and vulnerable groups as a significant contribution to the development agenda of the state.
The Commissioner called on Abia women to take greater advantage of opportunities provided by government and to transform the traditional August Women’s Meeting into stronger platforms for economic empowerment, education, healthcare, social protection, community development and leadership development.

She urged women to move beyond asking what government could do for them and instead embrace a partnership approach in which government and women collectively drive development.
“Women must not only vote but must participate in governance. We must be present where policies are made and be part of decision-making,” she said, stressing the need to raise women capable of serving at every level of leadership.

The Commissioner described the traditional August meeting as one of the enduring institutions of Igbo women, noting that generations of women had returned home during the period to deliberate, reconcile, unite, empower themselves and strengthen their communities.
She therefore challenged Abia women to bring their wisdom, strength and values into the emerging opportunities in the state and become creators of opportunities for themselves and others.
The Commissioner ,however, declared that Abia women were “ready, united, empowered and partners in progress,” adding that they were prepared to contribute meaningfully to building the New Abia.
She expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, community leaders, development partners, civil society organisations, religious bodies and other stakeholders for their support for women and girls.

The conference, she said, was particularly significant as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the creation of Abia State, and provided another opportunity for women to reaffirm their commitment to the state’s development.
Dr. Aghukwa further appealed for stronger collaboration between government and women across the communities, saying sustained empowerment through skills, access to finance, technology, mentorship and productive capacity would enable more women to become economically independent and contribute significantly to Abia’s growth.
She called on women to embrace the opportunities created by the administration and play their part in building a prosperous, inclusive and development-oriented Abia State.