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African Democratic Congress ( ADC) presidential candidate, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has dismissed the N70,000 monthly transport support for public servants, as a desperate measure by the government to contain public anger over hardship in the country.
Atiku, in a statement by the Director, Strategic Communication, Presidential Campaign Council, Phrank Shaibu, stated that the gesture is also an admission by the Federal Government that its policies have made life unbearable for millions of Nigerians.
The Federal Government had on Tuesday approved a N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public servants for six months, effective from November, to mitigate the effect of the high cost of living.
However, the former Vice President, who noted that the cost of living crisis, in the country, is far beyond transportation, stating apart from public servants, Nigerians working in the private sector are equally affected.
According to him, “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.
“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. Does hardship end at the bus stop?
“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.
“The agreement also leaves the effective date for a new minimum wage unresolved. The government must publish payment dates, explain eligibility and say when wage negotiations will produce a decision.
“Any genuine relief is welcome, but a six month allowance cannot undo this hardship. 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?”
Atiku added that “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. A temporary ₦70,000 allowance cannot extinguish a cost of living crisis this government ignited.
“This is the pattern: the fuel discount failed, the 90 day cost of living plan failed before it began, and now comes another temporary payment. The government promised CNG would lower transport costs, but that promise has failed. For Nigerians still paying more to commute, the CNG programme is another scam of promises, while families face the same unaffordable prices.
“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.”
The ADC candidate stated that he has proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined in Nigeria, so as to provide relief for Nigeians.
He said ” Tinubu must not punish 250 million Nigerians for the corruption and leakages of a few thousand. His arrogance prevents him from reconsidering a cocky decision, while families and businesses pay the price.
“₦70,000 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. When will life become affordable again?”
