By BONIFACE AKARAH

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of owing its workers more than 12 months’ salaries, describing the alleged failure to pay staff as evidence that the opposition party cannot be trusted to govern Nigeria.

The accusation was contained in a statement issued on October 26, 2026, by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, which also called on Nigerians to reject ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and other candidates of the party in the 2027 general elections.

The APC alleged that the ADC National Working Committee, led by Senator David Mark as chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, had neglected its workforce despite the party’s public promises to Nigerians.

“We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months. Owing staff who come to work every day and who rely on the salaries for their daily sustenance is wicked and reprehensible,” Alake stated.

The ruling party said the alleged development exposed what it described as the insincerity of ADC leaders who present themselves as an alternative to the current administration.

It further questioned the party’s capacity to manage the country’s affairs, arguing that a political organisation unable to meet its obligations to its own employees should not be entrusted with national leadership.

APC raises allegations against Atiku, Aregbesola

The campaign council also accused Atiku of having a history of delayed salary payments to employees in his business establishments, particularly Gotel Communications.

“While he regularly junkets to the UAE, staff at his Gotel Communication and other businesses also went months without pay and staged protests over unpaid salaries and other benefits,” the statement alleged.

It also criticised Aregbesola’s record as governor of Osun State, accusing his administration of failing to pay workers and pensioners their full entitlements.

According to the APC, the former governor’s administration introduced quarter-salary and, at some periods, half-salary payments to civil servants, while pensioners allegedly went for more than four years without their entitlements.

The campaign council claimed that the situation left many pensioners unable to afford basic necessities, with some reportedly dying during the period.

“We have clearly stated that ADC leaders and their presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, do not mean well and can do nothing for our country. Their desperation for power is driven by personal aggrandisement and venomous ill will against President Bola Tinubu,” Alake said.

The APC further linked the allegations against Atiku and Aregbesola to what it described as a pattern of poor treatment of workers within the opposition party.

Calls for rejection of ADC candidates

The campaign council urged Nigerians, particularly workers, to reject the ADC and its candidates in the next general elections, insisting that the party had failed to demonstrate concern for the welfare of its workforce.

“We are sounding a warning to Nigerians and working people now: reject ADC. Reject Atiku Abubakar and reject all ADC candidates in the next general elections. They do not have the interest of our country and our people at heart,” the statement said.

It added that a party aspiring to govern Nigeria should first demonstrate competence in managing its internal affairs and meeting its obligations to employees.

The allegations against the ADC, Atiku and Aregbesola were made by the APC campaign council in its statement. The release did not include a response from the ADC or the individuals mentioned.