Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport allowance for workers, describing it as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s concern for Nigerians amid economic challenges.
The Edo North senator said the intervention represented a significant increase in earnings for low-income workers, urging Nigerians to appreciate the administration’s policies.
Oshiomhole made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he also defended Tinubu’s economic reforms and called for his re-election in 2027.
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“I think this government is doing well. If a man who was on N70,000 now is given N70,000 addition that makes it N140,000 for him, it’s a hundred per cent increase,” he said.
He added, “If you know what N10,000 means for the real masses, you’ll appreciate that Tinubu has shown that he cares.”
The Federal Government approved the monthly transport allowance for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on October 27.
The agreement also provides for the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances in three equal monthly instalments from November.
However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejected the transport support, insisting that workers require a permanent salary increase rather than temporary relief.
Oshiomhole also criticised the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, under which Atiku Abubakar served as vice-president, alleging that it failed to ensure regular payment of workers’ salaries.
He further framed the 2027 presidential election as a contest between Tinubu’s economic policies and those of Atiku, accusing the former vice-president of presiding over multiple exchange rates that allegedly favoured individuals with political connections.
The senator also faulted Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), for failing to provide an alternative to Tinubu’s policies.
“Peter Obi has not offered any alternative. I’ve always said that Peter Obi is a trader; the logic of a trader is short-term turnover. A statesman that Tinubu represents thinks of the next generation,” Oshiomhole said.
While acknowledging the right of opposition candidates to contest the presidency, the former Edo State governor argued that Tinubu deserved another term to consolidate his reforms.
He said Nigerians should allow the president to continue after “having gone through all the teething problems” rather than “recruit a new apprentice”.
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