Kelechi Anosike, the governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, has made a bold commitment to reinstate 15,000 civil servants who were reportedly dismissed or prematurely retired by the current administration. Anosike announced this plan during a recent address at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Umuahia, where he participated in the monthly congress of the Abia State Council.

During his speech, Anosike criticized the administration of Governor Alex Otti, asserting that it has failed to prioritize the welfare of citizens. He argued that it is unjust to terminate workers or force their retirement before they reach the required milestones set by law. "If the rule says you will work 35 years and you retire, or 60 years; if you don’t attain those milestones, a welfarist government will not retire you," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to the reinstatement of the affected workers.

Anosike expressed concern for the well-being of those dismissed, many of whom are in their fifties and were let go without any formal inquiries or justifications. He stated, "Inform those 15,000 workers that were sacked before time that Kelechi Anosike will recall all of them. Some of them are 50 years, some of them are 52 years. They did nothing, no query, no public inquiry, and you sack them and they are now suffering in their homes."

In addition to addressing the issue of sacked workers, Anosike criticized the current government's handling of funds resulting from the removal of subsidies. He claimed that the administration has focused excessively on road infrastructure while neglecting other pressing needs of the citizens. He pointed out that the high rate of unemployment in Abia State has led many young graduates to migrate to cities like Lagos and Abuja in search of better job opportunities.

To combat these challenges, Anosike promised to implement policies aimed at industrialization and creating youth-friendly initiatives if elected as governor in the upcoming 2027 elections. He also urged journalists in the state to adopt a more inquisitive approach towards governance, reminding them that they serve as the conscience of society, rather than mere amplifiers for politicians.