Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to pay public servants a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance, describing it as an inadequate response to the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to contain public anger through temporary financial interventions rather than addressing the rising cost of living.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku questioned the effectiveness of the six-month allowance scheduled to begin in November.
“What Nigerians are witnessing is a government that set the house ablaze with its reckless policies, then pretends to fight the inferno by throwing ice cubes at the flames,” he said.
He argued that the allowance would provide limited relief because the economic difficulties confronting Nigerians extended beyond transportation.
“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.
Atiku also questioned why the intervention covered public servants while excluding private-sector employees, traders, transport operators and millions of Nigerians working outside formal employment.
“Does hardship end at the bus stop?” he queried.
The former vice-president accused the administration of relying on temporary measures instead of pursuing lasting solutions to inflation and declining purchasing power.
“These rushed announcements smack of political bribery and corruption,” he alleged.
He further criticised the government’s compressed natural gas initiative and previous fuel-related interventions, arguing that they had failed to deliver the promised relief.
As an alternative, Atiku proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for petroleum products refined in Nigeria, which he said would help reduce prices at filling stations.
He also demanded clarity on the payment arrangements for the transport allowance and the timetable for negotiations on a new minimum wage.
The Federal Government had approved the ₦70,000 monthly transport intervention for public servants for six months following discussions with the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The agreement also provided for the payment of outstanding allowances and the establishment of a committee to negotiate a new minimum wage.
