Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of the economy and the government’s failure to fulfill key promises to Nigerian workers.
In a statement posted on his X handle, Atiku said President Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy on the day of his inauguration was “hasty and thoughtless,” triggering what he described as “an economic avalanche” that has left Nigerians buried under inflation, hunger, and despair.
He accused the Federal Government of betraying its own pledge to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal through temporary wage awards for civil servants. According to him, while the administration promised monthly payments of ₦35,000 pending a new minimum wage agreement, only six months have been paid out of the 10 months now owed — leaving each worker short of ₦140,000.
“It took the Tinubu administration a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure,” Atiku said. “By implication, the Federal Government owes 10 months of wage award arrears to federal workers.”
He praised several state governments for handling labour issues better than the Federal Government, which he accused of showing “callous indifference” and “utter disdain” for the welfare of Nigerian workers.
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‘Tinubu buried Nigerians under inflation, hunger and despair’ – Atiku Lashes Out
Atiku also condemned the recent arrest of labour rights activist Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze, who was reportedly detained for attempting to organize a peaceful protest over the unpaid wage awards. He called for Comrade Emelieze’s immediate and unconditional release, describing his continued detention as “a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker” and a “chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift” of the current administration.
“Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten,” Atiku declared. “The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government has a duty to act, not repress.”
