Tinubu has shown he cares about workers with ₦70,000 allowance — Oshiomhole

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has said President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated concern for workers’ welfare through the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 monthly transport allowance. Oshiomhole made the statement during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, where he defended the Tinubu administration’s performance and urged Nigerians to appreciate its policies.

“I think this government is doing well. If a man who was on ₦70,000 now is given ₦70,000 addition that makes it ₦140,000 for him it’s a hundred percent increase and if you know what ₦10,000 means for the real masses, you’ll appreciate that Tinubu has shown that he cares,” he said. The Federal Government approved the monthly ₦70,000 transport intervention for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on October 27.

The agreement also provides for the payment of outstanding peculiar allowances in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November. However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejected the transport allowance, insisting that workers need a permanent salary increase rather than temporary relief. Oshiomhole also criticised the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, under which Atiku Abubakar served as vice-president, alleging that it failed to guarantee the payment of workers’ salaries.

He said the 2027 presidential election would offer Nigerians a choice between Tinubu, whom he credited with unifying the exchange rate, and Atiku, whom he accused of allowing multiple exchange rates that favoured people based on their connections. The senator also faulted the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, for allegedly failing to present an alternative to Tinubu’s policies.

“Peter Obi has not offered any alternative. I’ve always said that Peter Obi is a trader; the logic of a trader is short term turnover. A statesman that Tinubu represents thinks of the next generation,” Oshiomhole said. While acknowledging the right of opposition candidates to contest the presidency, he argued that Tinubu should be allowed to continue in office after “having gone through all the teething problems” rather than “recruit a new apprentice.”