Atiku Criticises Tinubu’s ₦70,000 Transport Allowance as Insufficient

Atiku’s Statement on the Transport Allowance

On 28 October 2026, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign released a statement through Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication, condemning President Bola Tinubu’s announcement of a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers. The statement, issued on Twitter and reported by several news outlets, argued that the amount would purchase only about 50 litres of petrol at the prevailing price of roughly ₦1,400 per litre. The ADC said the allowance was a political gesture that did not address the deeper cost‑of‑living crisis.

The statement also highlighted that the relief package was limited to public workers and left private‑sector employees, traders, small businesses and informal workers without any support. It called for a living wage that reflected current economic realities and criticised the government’s previous interventions, including a fuel discount scheme, a 90‑day cost‑of‑living plan and a compressed natural gas programme, as ineffective.

Background

The transport allowance was announced by President Tinubu’s administration as part of a broader relief package aimed at easing the burden on public sector employees. The policy was scheduled to begin in November 2026. However, the ADC’s criticism points to a series of earlier government measures that were perceived as insufficient or failed to deliver.

In 2024, the federal government removed the fuel subsidy, causing petrol prices to rise above ₦1,000 per litre. The move was followed by a fuel discount scheme that was later abandoned. A 90‑day cost‑of‑living plan was also introduced but did not materialise into concrete benefits for workers. The compressed natural gas (CNG) programme, intended to lower commuting costs, was similarly criticised for not delivering on its promises.

Atiku Abubakar, who served as Nigeria’s Vice President from 1999 to 2007, is the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election. His campaign has repeatedly called for a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined within Nigeria, arguing that it would provide direct relief at the pump.

Why it Matters

The allowance is intended to help public workers cope with rising fuel costs, but the ADC’s statement suggests it is too small to make a meaningful difference. At about ₦1,400 per litre, the ₦70,000 would buy roughly 50 litres of petrol, which is unlikely to cover a worker’s monthly commuting expenses.

The criticism also underscores a broader divide between the government’s relief efforts and the needs of the wider population. The ADC points out that private‑sector workers, traders, transport operators and millions of informal workers are excluded from the scheme. This exclusion could exacerbate existing inequalities and fuel public discontent.

The statement further questions the government’s transparency, noting that payment dates, eligibility criteria and the status of minimum wage negotiations were not clarified. The ADC’s call for a living wage reflects a demand for more substantive economic reforms rather than temporary payments.

What Happens Next

The ADC’s statement does not outline specific next steps beyond calling for a living wage and a fuel subsidy for locally refined petrol. No official response from President Tinubu’s administration is reported in the sources. The statement remains a critique of the current policy and a rallying point for the ADC’s campaign.

The situation remains fluid, with the government’s next actions on the transport allowance and broader economic reforms yet to be announced. The ADC’s criticism may influence public perception ahead of the 2027 presidential election.