The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) have traded words over the welfare of workers and pensioners in Abia State, with the opposition party accusing Governor Alex Otti’s administration of failing to meet its obligations while the ruling party dismissed the claims.
The disagreement became public after the APC sent an open letter to the governor, urging him to improve the welfare of civil servants and retirees in the state.
In the letter, signed by the APC Publicity Secretary in Abia State, Uche Aguoru, the party alleged that some civil servants were still earning salaries below the approved national minimum wage of ₦70,000.
It also called on the state government to settle outstanding gratuities owed to pensioners and raised concerns over the delay in implementing the promised increase in monthly allowances for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in the state.
The APC argued that the government had announced more than a year ago that corps members would receive a monthly allowance of ₦50,000, but said the promise had yet to be fulfilled. The party urged the governor to address the concerns and improve the living conditions of workers, retirees and corps members.
The Labour Party, however, rejected the allegations and accused the APC of spreading false information about the Otti administration. Responding through its state Publicity Secretary, Iroegbu Emenike, the party defended the governor’s record and insisted that civil servants and pensioners were receiving their salaries and pensions without the delays that existed under previous administrations.
The LP also claimed that many members of the APC were part of governments that allegedly failed the state for decades before Otti assumed office. It argued that the opposition lacked the moral standing to criticise the current administration after its own record in government.
On the issue of the delayed allowance for NYSC members, the Labour Party said government announcements must go through administrative and policy processes before they can be fully implemented. It maintained that such procedures take time and should not be interpreted as a refusal to fulfil the promise.
The exchange between the two parties adds to the growing political debate in Abia State as both sides continue to defend their positions on governance and public welfare ahead of the next election cycle.