Party That Cannot Pay Staff Cannot Govern Nigeria, APC Tells ADC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of failing to pay its staff for over a year, declaring that a party unable to meet its obligations to workers cannot be trusted to govern Nigeria.

The council also urged Nigerians to reject the ADC, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other candidates of the party in the next general elections over what it described as their alleged disregard for workers’ welfare.

In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, accused the ADC National Working Committee, led by Senator David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, of neglecting party staff despite their continued service.

Alake described the alleged non-payment of salaries for more than 12 months as unconscionable, arguing that workers who depend on their earnings for daily sustenance should not be subjected to such hardship.

He said the development exposed what the APC described as the insincerity of ADC leaders who present themselves as alternatives capable of rescuing the country.

“With this development, Nigerians can now see the emptiness and insincerity of those parading themselves as ‘new saviours’,” he said.

The APC spokesperson further accused Atiku of having a history of salary-related disputes with employees in his businesses, alleging that workers at Gotel Communication and other businesses associated with the former vice-president had experienced months of unpaid salaries and staged protests over their entitlements.

Alake also criticised Aregbesola’s record as governor of Osun State, alleging that his administration struggled to meet its salary obligations to workers and pensioners during his eight-year tenure.

According to him, the administration introduced quarter-salary and half-salary payments at different times, while pensioners allegedly went for more than four years without receiving their full entitlements.

He claimed that the hardship resulting from the alleged non-payment of pensions had severe consequences for affected retirees.

The APC council argued that the alleged failure of the ADC leadership to pay its workforce raised questions about its capacity to manage the affairs of a country as complex as Nigeria.

“We have clearly stated that ADC leaders and their presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, do not mean well and can do nothing for our country,” Alake said.

He added that the party’s alleged failure to meet its obligations to staff demonstrated what the APC characterised as a lack of concern for the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

The council therefore called on Nigerian voters, particularly workers, to reject the ADC and its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

It maintained that a political party aspiring to lead the country must demonstrate accountability and responsibility in managing its internal affairs and ensuring the welfare of its employees.