Atiku Abubakar Critiques ₦70,000 Transport Allowance

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, criticized the Federal Government's planned ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, set to begin in November 2026. He described the allowance as insufficient to mitigate the impact of rising living costs on Nigerian households.

In a statement from Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku highlighted that the allowance would only purchase about 50 litres of petrol at an assumed price of ₦1,400 per litre, questioning its effectiveness over a month. He accused the Tinubu administration of inadequately addressing economic hardships and failing to consider the needs of private-sector workers and those in the informal economy.

Atiku called for clarity on the payment schedule and eligibility criteria for the allowance and expressed concern over the unresolved effective date for a new minimum wage. He acknowledged that while the allowance could provide some relief, its temporary nature would not resolve ongoing economic pressures.