Atiku says 70,000-naira transport allowance is insufficient
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Punch
Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s candidate in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, says the promised monthly allowance of 70,000 naira for public employees for six months is insufficient. He says it will not offset rising food, electricity, rent and fuel costs, according to his campaign team.
Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former vice-president and African Democratic Congress candidate in the 2027 presidential election, says a monthly transport allowance of 70,000 naira for public sector employees is insufficient. The allowance is to be paid for six months from November 2026, according to a statement published on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, his campaign’s director of strategic communications, and reported by Punch.
Atiku Abubakar says the measure does not address rising costs for food, electricity, rent and other essential goods. At a hypothetical petrol price of 1,400 naira per litre, the 70,000 naira would buy about 50 litres, he calculated. He is asking the federal government to clarify the payment schedule and eligibility criteria for the allowance.
The opposition candidate also criticises the government for limiting its intervention to temporary payments, which would exclude private sector employees, traders, small businesses, transport operators and informal economy workers. He is calling for lasting improvements in incomes and clarification on when the new minimum wage will take effect.
The statement comes after several political attacks targeting Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election, including a call by the APC in Kaduna for him to withdraw on 27 October. It adds to criticism from Shettima over Atiku’s ability to manage the economy.
