APC attacks Atiku, ADC over alleged unpaid staff salaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has alleged that the African Democratic Congress is owing its staff salaries for more than a year, urging Nigerians to reject the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 elections.

In a statement on Monday signed by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, the campaign council said the ADC National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark as chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, had failed to pay party workers for more than 12 months.

The APC described the alleged non-payment as “unconscionable,” arguing that a party seeking to govern Nigeria should first demonstrate its ability to manage its own workforce.

“We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months,” Mr Alake said.

“Owing staff who come to work every day and who rely on the salaries for their daily sustenance is wicked and reprehensible.”

The APC said the alleged development exposed what it described as the “emptiness and insincerity” of the ADC and its leaders, who have presented themselves as an alternative to the ruling party.

The campaign council also alleged that Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, had previously faced complaints over unpaid salaries at his businesses.

“Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s leader and presidential candidate, has a reputation for owing his employees,” Mr Alake said, alleging that workers at Gotel Communications and other businesses linked to the former vice president had gone months without pay and staged protests over unpaid salaries and other benefits.

The APC also attacked Mr Aregbesola’s record as governor of Osun State, accusing his administration of failing to pay workers and pensioners regularly.

Mr Alake alleged that the former governor introduced quarter- and half-salary payments for workers and left pensioners unpaid for more than four years.

“As for pensioners, he abandoned them for more than four years. Many died because they could not afford the basics of life,” he said.

The APC spokesperson said the alleged failure of the ADC to pay its workers matched what he described as the records of some of the party’s leading figures.

“We are therefore not surprised that ADC, harbouring birds of the same feather, cannot pay its workers’ salaries,” he said.

The campaign council called on Nigerians, particularly workers, to reject the ADC, Atiku and other candidates contesting elections on the party’s platform in 2027.

“We are sounding a warning to Nigerians and working people now: reject ADC. Reject Atiku Abubakar and reject all ADC candidates in the next general elections,” Mr Alake said.

The statement comes as the ADC positions itself as a major opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku among the prominent political figures who have joined the party.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, for their responses to the allegations.

However, neither Mr Abdullahi nor Mr Ologbondiyan had responded to the enquiries as of the time of filing this report.