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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Abia State, Kelechi Anosike, has promised full financial autonomy for the state judiciary and improved welfare for workers if elected governor in 2027, describing repeated shutdowns of the courts over industrial disputes as “condemnable and appalling.”
Anosike said the four strikes reportedly embarked upon by judicial workers in the state within three years had consequences beyond the welfare of judiciary employees, warning that prolonged disruption of the justice system adversely affected businesses, litigants, the economy and citizens’ fundamental rights.
“A judiciary that is repeatedly shut down affects the administration of justice, the economy, businesses, litigants and the fundamental rights of citizens,” he said.
The international commercial lawyer spoke while addressing more than 495 lawyers at a dinner he hosted at the Atlantic Presidential Hall of the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, on the sidelines of the just-concluded Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The gathering included Senior Advocates of Nigeria, law professors and lecturers, as well as members of the Bar and Bench.
In a statement, his Media Unit said Anosike also criticised what he described as “executive cherry-picking” in the release of funds appropriated to the judiciary.
He argued that once the judiciary’s budget had been proposed, defended, approved by the State House of Assembly and assented to by the governor, the executive should not retain the discretion to determine which components of the appropriation would be released.
“Funds appropriated for the judiciary should be released as appropriated, predictably and without executive cherry-picking. Unpredictable funding makes it difficult for the judiciary to plan and undermines financial autonomy,” Anosike said.
He used the occasion to outline what he described as the welfarist philosophy that would underpin his administration if elected in 2027, saying government should be judged principally by its impact on the lives of citizens.
“I believe profoundly that the whole essence of government is the welfare of its citizens.
“Government must not exist merely to exercise power. It must exist to improve lives, create opportunities, protect dignity and give every citizen a fair chance to prosper.
“That is the foundation of the welfarist philosophy that I believe should guide the next chapter of Abia’s development,” he said.
Anosike promised an administration in which workers would not have to repeatedly agitate for their legitimate entitlements.
“We shall build an Abia where workers do not have to continually struggle for what they have legitimately earned,” he said.
According to him, salaries and allowances would be paid when due, outstanding pensions and gratuities addressed and promotions implemented promptly.
“Those who dedicate their productive years to serving Abia deserve dignity in service and dignity in retirement,” he said.
The PDP candidate said his proposed welfare programme would also seek to protect vulnerable residents from hunger and economic hardship.
“Every Abian in need must be seen as a priority, not a problem,” he said, adding that government policies must recognise the realities confronting citizens and respond with “compassion, fairness and practical solutions.”
He said his ambition was to build “a state where the ordinary citizen can wake up each morning with hope, dignity and confidence in tomorrow.”
The Port Harcourt event also assumed a political dimension as the Abia State Government reportedly scheduled a separate dinner for members of the state’s legal community on the same day and around the same time at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt.
