Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the Federal Government’s N70,000 monthly transport allowance for public service workers, questioning why millions of Nigerians without formal employment were excluded from the relief package.

Atiku described the six-month intervention as inadequate to address the country’s rising cost of living, arguing that the economic hardship extends beyond transportation to food, energy, housing and other essential needs.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential campaign council, Atiku said the allowance would purchase only about 50 litres of petrol at an estimated price of N1,400 per litre.

The Federal Government announced the allowance following a memorandum of understanding (MoU) reached with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday, with payments scheduled to commence in November 2026.

The agreement came after weeks of labour agitation over rising living costs, petrol prices, workers’ welfare and outstanding agreements.

Atiku argued that the intervention would offer limited relief to workers while leaving other categories of Nigerians grappling with similar economic pressures.

“The cost of living crisis reaches beyond transport: energy, food, rent and other essentials affect every part of daily life,” he said.

He noted that households and businesses were struggling with the rising costs of electricity, cooking fuel, school transportation and daily necessities, questioning whether the government had adequately considered the broader impact of economic hardship.

The former vice-president also challenged the decision to restrict the allowance to public service workers, pointing out that private-sector employees, traders, small business owners, transport operators and informal-sector workers were equally affected.

“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 called on the Federal Government to clarify the eligibility criteria for the allowance, publish payment timelines and resolve outstanding minimum wage negotiations.

He maintained that temporary payments could not reverse the effects of the government’s economic policies, insisting that broader interventions were needed to ease the financial burden on Nigerians.

Atiku also criticised the government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) initiative, arguing that it had failed to deliver the anticipated reduction in transportation costs.

“These rushed announcements smack of political bribery and corruption,” he said, alleging that the government had not demonstrated sufficient commitment to addressing the consequences of petrol subsidy removal.

As an alternative, the ADC chieftain proposed a transparently managed production subsidy for petrol refined in Nigeria, arguing that it could help lower pump prices and provide relief to consumers.

He further urged the government to tackle alleged corruption and financial leakages rather than leave Nigerians to bear the consequences of its policies.

Meanwhile, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Wednesday rejected the N70,000 transport allowance, describing temporary relief as insufficient and calling for an increase in workers’ salaries.

TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro, in a statement, urged the Federal Government to prioritise improved wages rather than depend on temporary allowances to cushion the effects of rising living costs.