Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Federal Government’s planned N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, describing it as inadequate to address the rising cost of living in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku argued that the allowance, scheduled to begin in November, would provide only limited relief while households and businesses continue to grapple with higher costs of food, energy, rent and other essential goods and services.

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He described the initiative as an attempt to ease public anger over the economic situation, insisting that the country’s hardship extended far beyond transport expenses.

“The Tinubu administration is scrambling from one announcement to another, showing its failure to grasp the crisis,” Atiku said, adding that the rising cost of living affected virtually every aspect of daily life.

The former vice president questioned the decision to restrict the proposed relief to public service workers, noting that private sector employees, traders, small businesses, transport operators and people without formal employment were also affected by rising prices.

He argued that a payment targeting a section of the workforce could not adequately address a nationwide economic challenge.

“If public service workers receive N70,000 monthly for transport from November, what happens to private sector workers, traders, small businesses, transport operators and millions without formal jobs?” he asked.

Atiku illustrated the pressure on businesses and households, citing higher electricity costs for barbers, increased cooking expenses for restaurant owners and rising fuel costs for school bus operators.

He said families continued to face food expenses even as businesses struggled to manage operating costs and keep prices affordable.

Atiku also questioned the allowance’s purchasing power, arguing that the amount would offer limited assistance against prevailing petrol prices.

Using an illustrative price of N1,400 per litre, he said N70,000 would purchase approximately 50 litres of petrol, raising questions about how far the amount would go towards meeting workers’ transport needs over an entire month.

“What meaningful difference can 50 litres make over an entire month?” he asked.

The ADC presidential candidate further called for clarity on the allowance’s eligibility requirements, payment dates and duration.

He also demanded an update on the effective date of the new minimum wage and the outcome of wage negotiations.

Atiku accused the Federal Government of relying on temporary interventions rather than addressing the underlying causes of rising living costs.

He criticised previous initiatives, including a fuel discount, a 90-day cost-of-living relief plan and the compressed natural gas (CNG) programme, arguing that they had not delivered the level of relief Nigerians were promised.

He also questioned the administration’s approach to the consequences of fuel subsidy removal, describing its announcements as politically motivated.

These characterisations reflect Atiku’s position on the government’s economic policies.

As an alternative, he proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for fuel refined in Nigeria, arguing that such a measure could help reduce pump prices while limiting corruption and financial leakages associated with earlier subsidy arrangements.

The former vice president said Nigerians needed policies that would lower living costs, improve household incomes and make employment more rewarding.

He maintained that a transport allowance could provide some assistance but would not resolve the wider pressures affecting families, workers and businesses.

“Nigerians need lasting relief, decent wages and an economy that rewards honest work,” Atiku said, urging the Federal Government to pursue measures capable of improving affordability beyond temporary payments.

The Federal Government’s proposed allowance is intended to provide transport support to public service workers.

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However, Atiku’s criticism centres on whether the intervention, alongside other relief measures, can adequately address the wider cost-of-living pressures affecting Nigerians.