APC accuses Atiku, ADC of not paying staff salaries

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has claimed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) owes its staff salaries for over a year. They are urging Nigerians to reject the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the upcoming 2027 elections.

In a statement released on Monday, spokesperson Dele Alake said the ADC National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark as chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, has failed to pay party workers for more than 12 months.

The APC called the alleged non-payment “unconscionable,” saying that a party aiming to lead Nigeria should first show it can manage its own staff.

“We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grand promises to mislead Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months,” Mr Alake stated.

“Owing staff who come to work every day and who depend on their salaries for their daily needs is wicked and wrong.”

The APC said this situation reveals the “emptiness and insincerity” of the ADC and its leaders, who claim to be a better option than the ruling party.

The campaign council also accused Atiku, the ADC presidential candidate, of facing complaints over unpaid salaries in his businesses.

“Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s leader and presidential candidate, has a history of not paying his employees,” Mr Alake claimed. He alleged that workers at Gotel Communications and other businesses linked to the former vice president have gone months without pay and have protested due to unpaid salaries and other benefits.

The APC also criticized Mr Aregbesola’s time as governor of Osun State, saying his administration often failed to pay workers and pensioners on time.

Mr Alake alleged that the former governor introduced paying workers in quarters and halves, leaving pensioners unpaid for over four years.

“As for pensioners, he abandoned them for more than four years. Many died because they could not afford the basics of life,” he said.

The APC spokesperson pointed out that the ADC's failure to pay its workers reflects the records of some of the party's key figures.

“We are therefore not surprised that ADC, gathering people of the same character, cannot pay its workers’ salaries,” he said.

The campaign council urged Nigerians, especially workers, to reject the ADC, Atiku, and other candidates running on the party’s platform in 2027.

“We are sending a warning to Nigerians and working people now: reject ADC. Reject Atiku Abubakar and reject all ADC candidates in the next general elections,” Mr Alake said.

This statement comes as the ADC tries to position itself as a leading opposition party ahead of the 2027 elections, with Atiku among the notable political figures who have joined the party.

PREMIUM TIMES reached out to the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, and its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, for their responses to the claims.

But as of the time of this report, neither Mr Abdullahi nor Mr Ologbondiyan had replied.