ADC Kicks As APC Accuses It Of Owing Staff Over One-year Salaries

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah and Ademu Idakwo, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have traded accusations over allegations that the opposition party owes its staff more than 12 months’ salaries, with both parties accusing each other of failing to address issues affecting Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The controversy began after the APC Presidential Campaign Council accused the ADC leadership of neglecting the welfare of its workers, arguing that a party unable to meet its salary obligations could not be trusted to govern the country.

However, the ADC dismissed the allegation as an “irresponsible falsehood”, accusing the ruling party of resorting to propaganda to divert attention from the economic hardship and insecurity confronting Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake, alleged that the ADC National Working Committee, led by Senator David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, had failed to pay party staff despite their continued service.

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

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

The APC spokesperson accused the ADC leadership and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of pursuing political power for personal interests rather than prioritising the welfare of Nigerians.

He argued that the alleged salary arrears raised questions about the opposition party’s capacity to manage the country’s affairs if elected into government.

Alake also alleged that Atiku had a history of owing workers in his businesses, claiming that employees of Gotel Communication and other businesses associated with the former vice-president had experienced months of unpaid salaries and staged protests over their entitlements.

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

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

The APC spokesperson maintained that the allegations reflected poorly on the ADC’s commitment to accountability and good governance, urging Nigerians to reject the opposition party and its candidates in the next general elections.

“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,” he said.

However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, rejected the allegations, challenging the ruling party to provide credible evidence to substantiate its claims.

In a statement issued on Monday, Abdullahi described the accusation as an attempt to mislead Nigerians and divert attention from what the opposition party called the failures of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“The ADC categorically rejects this allegation as an irresponsible falsehood, deliberately concocted to mislead Nigerians and distract attention from the monumental failures of the Tinubu administration,” he said.

Abdullahi insisted that the APC should present evidence to support its claims, including the allegation that the ADC owed its workers 12 months’ salaries, rather than make what he described as fabricated accusations against the opposition.

The ADC argued that the ruling party was attempting to shift public attention away from pressing national concerns, including the rising cost of living, unemployment and insecurity.

According to the opposition party, these challenges should form the basis of public assessment of the Tinubu administration as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

The party accused the APC of focusing on allegations against opposition parties instead of highlighting its achievements and explaining how it intended to address the difficulties confronting Nigerians.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the APC has decided to run its 2027 campaign on allegations against the opposition rather than achievements of its own,” Abdullahi said.

He argued that the ruling party’s approach demonstrated what he described as its inability to defend its record in government.

The ADC also challenged Alake and other APC officials to explain why Nigerians should support another term for the ruling party, citing the economic hardship and uncertainty experienced by citizens over the past three years.

“The APC may control the machinery of government, but it cannot control the lived experiences of Nigerians,” the statement said.

Abdullahi maintained that the ADC would remain focused on the cost of living and other issues affecting citizens, insisting that it would not be distracted by what it described as attempts to undermine the opposition.

He challenged the APC to defend its record and present solutions to the country’s challenges instead of making allegations against rival political parties.

“If the APC has a record to defend, let it defend it. If it has solutions, let it present them. But it should stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians with these increasingly desperate distractions,” he said.

The ADC said the cost of living would remain central to its political engagement ahead of the 2027 general elections, while the APC maintained that the alleged failure of the opposition party to pay its workers raised questions about its suitability to govern.

The allegations and counter-allegations underscore the growing political exchanges between the two parties as they position themselves ahead of the next general elections. The claims concerning unpaid salaries, however, remain allegations disputed by the ADC.