By Quazeem Halimot Bukola
Presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has accused the Federal Government of using its N70,000 transport allowance for public sector workers as a political ploy to woo voters, dismissing the six-month intervention as a temporary fix that fails to address the country’s economic hardship.
In a statement issued on Thursday by Mark Adebayo, Chief Media and Communications Adviser to the SDP Presidential Campaign Council, Adebayo questioned the timing and sustainability of the initiative, describing it as a “sudden Greek gift”.
“Your N70,000 transport intervention for Nigerian workers is vote-buying by trick,” he said.
Adebayo faulted what he described as the government’s reactive approach to economic management, arguing that short-term interventions could not replace sustainable policies aimed at improving living standards, creating wealth and reducing poverty.
He said an SDP-led administration would pursue a comprehensive economic overhaul focused on improving workers’ welfare, strengthening purchasing power and addressing the country’s economic challenges.
Adebayo identified his policy blueprint, *Farewell to Poverty and Insecurity*, as the framework for his proposed socioeconomic transformation agenda, which he said would prioritise security, economic progress and lasting prosperity.
The Federal Government announced the N70,000 transport allowance on Tuesday following a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja. The agreement was documented in a memorandum of understanding between the government and labour representatives.
Payment of the allowance is expected to begin in November and continue for six months. The government also approved the payment of outstanding peculiar allowance arrears dating from May 1, 2026, in three equal monthly instalments beginning in November.
However, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) rejected the transport allowance, describing it as unsustainable and calling for an increase in workers’ salaries.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, TUC President Festus Osifo and Secretary-General Nuhu Toro advocated improved salaries as a more sustainable response to workers’ financial difficulties.
The disagreement highlights differing views on how best to cushion the effects of rising living costs on Nigerian workers, with the government offering temporary transport support while organised labour calls for improved wages.
