BY AHMED AKANBI
Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has accused the Federal Government of using the proposed N70,000 transport allowance for public sector workers to win support ahead of 2027 general elections.
Adebayo described the six-month allowance as a political gimmick that offers only temporary relief rather than addressing the rising cost of living and declining the purchasing power of workers.
In a statement Thursday by his Chief Media and Communications Adviser, Mark Adebayo, the SDP chieftain questioned the timing of the intervention, calling it a “sudden Greek gift”.
”Your N70,000 transport intervention for Nigerian workers is vote-buying by trick,” he said.
Adebayo argued that workers need sustainable improvement in salaries and living conditions, not temporary financial support.
He faulted President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying its economic interventions have failed to provide lasting solutions.
”This fire-brigade approach to governance is proof that the APC administration completely lacks sustainable ideas for Nigeria’s development,” he said.
Adebayo said addressing economic challenges requires investment in infrastructure, wealth-creating policies and measures to improve purchasing power.
He promised that if elected president, his administration would pursue policies for sustainable living wage, poverty reduction and tackling insecurity.
He said his blueprint titled ‘Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity’ contains proposals for total socio-economic transformation of the country.
”I have the best plans for the total and complete socioeconomic transformation of Nigeria and I am the best prepared and capable among all the presidential candidates,” he said.
Federal Government announced the allowance Tuesday after a conciliation meeting in Abuja with Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) leaders. Payment is to begin in November and run for six months.
Government also approved payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears dating back to May 1, 2026, to be paid in three equal instalments from November.
The proposal has drawn criticism from organised labour, with Trade Union Congress President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro describing it as unsustainable and calling for improved salaries and fulfilment of agreements with health workers under JOHESU.