Atiku Faults Government’s ₦70,000 Transport Allowance

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Nigerian Government’s planned ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, arguing that the payment would offer little relief from the rising cost of living.

The former Vice President said the allowance, scheduled to run for six months starting in November 2026, would not address the broader economic pressures affecting workers and households.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku argued that the intervention ignored the rising costs of food, electricity, rent and other basic necessities.

He said the allowance would buy only about 50 litres of petrol at an assumed price of ₦1,400 per litre, questioning whether that quantity could significantly reduce a worker’s transport expenses over an entire month.

“At about ₦1,400 per litre, ₦70,000 buys roughly 50 litres of petrol. What meaningful difference can 50 litres make over an entire month?” he asked.

“The Tinubu administration is scrambling from one announcement to another, showing its failure to grasp the crisis. The cost of living crisis reaches beyond transport: energy, food, rent and other essentials affect every part of daily life,” he added.

Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of relying on temporary financial assistance instead of tackling the factors driving up living costs.

He also questioned the decision to limit the payment to public service workers, noting that private-sector employees, traders, small-business owners, transport operators and millions of Nigerians in the informal economy would not benefit directly.

According to the former vice-president, public servants represent only a portion of the population, making the temporary allowance inadequate as a response to a nationwide economic problem.

“If public service workers receive ₦70,000 monthly for transport from November, what happens to private sector workers, traders, small businesses, transport operators and millions without formal jobs?

“The public workforce is only a fraction of Nigeria’s population. A temporary allowance for some cannot solve a national crisis,” he argued.

Atiku called on the government to clarify the payment arrangements and eligibility requirements. He also sought clarity on the implementation of the new minimum wage, urging the administration to provide a definite timeline for resolving outstanding wage-related issues.

While acknowledging that the allowance could offer some immediate assistance, he maintained that a six-month payment would not reverse the financial difficulties confronting households and businesses.

The ADC candidate also criticised the government’s fuel and transport interventions, including its compressed natural gas (CNG) programme, claiming that they had not delivered sufficient reductions in commuting and business operating costs.

He accused the administration of announcing short-term measures without adequately addressing the effects of petrol subsidy removal.

He called for a review of fuel pricing policies and proposed a transparently administered production subsidy for fuel refined locally, which he argued could reduce pump prices while supporting domestic refineries.

“These rushed announcements smack of political bribery and corruption. Tinubu has shown no genuine intention of clearing the monumental mess caused by his hasty subsidy removal. He offers temporary payments instead of confronting the consequences,” Atiku stated

Atiku further maintained that Nigerians should not bear the full cost of corruption and inefficiencies in the petroleum sector, urging the government to pursue policies that would lower living expenses, raise household incomes and reduce the cost of running businesses.

“Tinubu must not punish 250 million Nigerians for the corruption and leakages of a few thousand,” he said.

The planned transport allowance comes as households continue to contend with higher prices following the removal of petrol subsidies in May 2023 and subsequent foreign exchange reforms.

The government has introduced measures intended to ease the impact of the reforms, including transport-related support and the promotion of CNG as an alternative to petrol and diesel.

However, the adequacy and reach of these interventions remain subjects of debate among political parties, labour organisations and other stakeholders.

Atiku said his campaign would prioritise reducing living costs, improving incomes and ensuring that Nigerians could earn a decent living through their work. 

He called for lasting economic relief rather than temporary payments.

“Nigerians need lasting relief, decent wages and an economy that rewards honest work. When will life become affordable again?” he asked.