  Excited states in low-energy spectra in $^{70-76}$Ni are considered. To this
end, pairing forces in form of surface delta interaction are employed to
account for formation of the ground state multiplet with seniority $\nu = 2$
states. The multiplet splitting is described with mass relations of masses of
neighbouring nuclei. Subsequently, seniority model is used to reproduce or
predict the states $\nu = 3$ in odd-even isotopes and $\nu = 4$ in even-even
isotopes. Correct account of $2_1^+$ state should allow for description of
reversed order of states $J = 4$ with $\nu = 2$ and $\nu = 4$ observed in
experiment. The results obtained are compared with the structure of similar
multiplets in $N=50$ isotones.
