Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s new ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public workers, saying it does little to address the hardship facing most Nigerians.
In a statement issued through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku’s camp asked: “Does hardship end at the bus stop?” Naija News reported.
“A Temporary Allowance Cannot Solve a National Crisis”
The Federal Government agreed with the Nigeria Labour Congress this week to pay workers ₦70,000 a month in transport support for six months, starting in November.
But Atiku’s campaign argued the measure leaves out millions of Nigerians, including private-sector employees, traders, transport operators and the many people without formal jobs. “A temporary allowance for some cannot solve a national crisis,” the statement said.
It added that rising costs of fuel, electricity, food and rent affect almost every household and business, not just commuters. With petrol at around ₦1,400 per litre, the campaign said the allowance would buy only about 50 litres of fuel a month.
“Political Bribery,” Says ADC Camp
The statement accused the government of making “rushed announcements” ahead of the 2027 elections. “These rushed announcements smack of political bribery and corruption,” it said, describing the administration as “a government that set the house ablaze with its reckless policies.”
It also pointed out that no effective date has been agreed for a new minimum wage, and that payment dates and eligibility rules for the transport allowance have not been published.
As an alternative, Atiku proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined in Nigeria, which he said would bring real relief at the pump. “Tinubu must not punish 250 million Nigerians for the corruption and leakages of a few thousand,” the statement said.
Wike Fires Back
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike launched a fresh attack on Atiku at a Rainbow Coalition meeting in Oyigbo, Rivers State, on Thursday. Wike urged Nigerians to judge Atiku by his record as Vice President from 1999 to 2007. “Can anybody tell me, do you see the impact of Atiku Abubakar? No!” he said.
Wike described the ADC ticket of Atiku and his running mate, former Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, as a “joint ticket of corruption” and predicted it would not win 25% of the vote in Rivers State. Atiku’s camp had not responded to Wike’s remarks at the time of publishing.
Presidency Yet to Respond
The Presidency had not publicly responded to Atiku’s criticism of the transport allowance. The exchanges show how economic hardship is shaping up to be a central battleground in the 2027 presidential race.
Sources: Naija News. Image: Wikimedia Commons (file photo).