Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport support for public service workers, saying it is insufficient to address the wider cost-of-living crisis.

Reacting on Wednesday through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said the policy showed the government had finally recognised the hardship facing Nigerians.

However, he argued that the economic crunch goes far beyond transportation, pointing out that it severely affects energy, food, rent, and other household essentials.

“Barbers pay more to power their clippers; restaurant owners face higher cooking costs; shopkeepers struggle to keep prices down; school bus operators pay more for fuel; and families still must buy food. Every business and household is affected,” Atiku said.

He questioned the exclusion of private-sector workers, traders, small business owners, and those without formal jobs, noting that the public workforce represents only a tiny fraction of Nigeria’s total population.

He added that the agreement leaves the effective implementation date for the new minimum wage unresolved, urging the government to publish clear payment schedules, clarify eligibility criteria, and disclose when wage negotiations will produce a definitive decision.

The former Vice President contended that a temporary, six-month allowance cannot sustainably address structural hardship, noting that with petrol selling at about N1,400 per litre, N70,000 covers only roughly 50 litres of fuel.

Atiku maintained that the administration’s earlier interventions—including proposed fuel discounts and the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) initiative—have failed to reduce transport costs as promised.

As an alternative, he proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined domestically in Nigeria to provide real, sustainable relief at the pump.

“N70,000 may help with transport, but it cannot explain why work, food and running a business have become unaffordable. Nigerians need lasting relief, decent wages and an economy that rewards honest work,” he said.

He reiterated that his campaign would pursue comprehensive policies designed to structurally lower the cost of living and boost household incomes across the country. (Nigerian tribune)