African Action Congress (AAC) governorship candidate Chioma Ifemeludike on Monday pledged to raise Anambra State’s minimum wage to ₦100,000 if elected, describing the proposal as a realistic solution to workers’ hardship through fiscal discipline and revenue expansion—not campaign theatrics.

The 45-year-old entrepreneur and rights advocate unveiled the promise in a post-debate statement, calling it “practical and sustainable” through targeted cuts to government waste and strategic investments in agriculture and internally generated revenue. “By trimming unnecessary expenses and fueling growth in farming and taxes, we can deliver and maintain this,” she said, noting the relief it would bring to families grappling with 28% national inflation.

Her remarks followed Friday’s gubernatorial debate in Awka, hosted by the Creative Mind Centre for Youth and Community Development in partnership with Active Citizens Media. There, Ifemeludike outlined her broader policy blueprint, including:

• A professional vigilante agency to bolster security
• Modernized school curricula and infrastructure
• Vocational grants to tackle youth unemployment
• Mechanized agriculture with access to loans and equipment
• Inclusive governance with cabinet roles for persons with disabilities

“This isn’t politics as usual—it’s a human-centered plan,” she said, praising the debate for allowing candidates to “share ideas and connect with Ndi Anambra.” She noted the audience’s response was “encouraging,” adding, “They saw measurable steps, not empty hope.”

With 16 candidates vying to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifemeludike’s outsider campaign—backed by youth and women’s groups—is gaining attention. Her platform contrasts sharply with Soludo’s controversial ₦1 million-per-ward incentive scheme, which critics have labeled vote-buying.

According to recent NOI Polls, AAC stands at 5% support, trailing APGA’s 55%, but showing momentum amid widespread youth unemployment estimated at 40%.

A former NGO director, Ifemeludike positions her candidacy as a reset for Anambra’s 6 million residents, many of whom face insecurity and economic strain. “We need leadership that invests in people, not palaces,” she said.