Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the N70,000 transport allowance approved for workers, describing the relief package as inadequate amid rising living costs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his senior media aide, Phrank Shuaibu, Atiku argued that N70,000 could only purchase about 50 litres of petrol in the current economic climate, describing the allowance as an insult to Nigerian workers.
He accused the Federal Government of celebrating the payment despite the impact of inflation on workers’ purchasing power.
“How can a government that removed fuel subsidy and pushed petrol price to over N1,000 per litre be telling workers that N70,000 is relief? N70,000 cannot even buy 50 litres of fuel. This is not relief, this is mockery,” Atiku said.
The former vice president further claimed that Nigerian workers were experiencing severe hardship under Tinubu’s administration, citing rising food prices, high transportation costs and declining purchasing power.
He maintained that the government’s economic reforms had increased the burden on ordinary citizens, while government officials continued to enjoy comfortable living conditions.
Atiku urged the Federal Government to introduce a living wage that reflects current economic realities, arguing that workers need meaningful financial support rather than what he described as token relief.
