Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s planned N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, describing it as inadequate to address Nigeria’s rising cost of living.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, said the intervention failed to address the broader economic challenges facing households and businesses, including rising food, energy and housing costs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the allowance would provide only temporary relief without tackling the underlying causes of economic hardship.
He questioned the exclusion of private sector workers, traders, small business owners, transport operators and millions of Nigerians working in the informal sector.
“The public workforce is only a fraction of Nigeria’s population. A temporary allowance for some cannot solve a national crisis,” he said.
Atiku argued that the amount was insufficient to cover workers’ monthly transport expenses, noting that at approximately N1,400 per litre, N70,000 would buy about 50 litres of petrol.
“What meaningful difference can 50 litres make over an entire month?” he asked.
The former vice-president also called on the government to clarify the payment schedule, eligibility criteria and outstanding issues surrounding the implementation of a new minimum wage.
He criticised the administration’s economic interventions, including its fuel discount proposals, 90-day cost-of-living plan and compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, alleging that they had failed to deliver the promised relief to Nigerians.
Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of relying on temporary payments instead of addressing the consequences of fuel subsidy removal.
He said the government should consider a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined locally to reduce pump prices.
“Tinubu must not punish 250 million Nigerians for the corruption and leakages of a few thousand,” Atiku said.
He maintained that Nigerians needed sustainable measures to reduce living costs, improve household incomes and ensure that wages reflected the rising cost of essential goods and services.
Atiku added that his campaign would pursue policies aimed at making life more affordable and restoring dignity to workers
Discussion0