The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has accused the African Democratic Congress of owing its workers more than 12 months’ salaries, urging Nigerians to reject the party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 general elections.
The APC campaign council, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, accused the ADC National Working Committee, led by David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, of neglecting the welfare of party employees despite its promises to Nigerians.
It described the alleged non-payment of salaries as evidence of insincerity, questioning the party’s capacity to manage the country’s affairs if it could not meet its obligations to its own workforce.
The council said, “A party that cannot pay its cleaners and workforce cannot be entrusted with our country’s affairs,” while accusing ADC leaders of seeking power for personal aggrandisement and out of hostility towards President Bola Tinubu.
The APC also linked the alleged salary arrears to previous controversies surrounding the payment of workers by businesses associated with Atiku and his administration as governor of Osun State under Aregbesola.
It alleged that employees of Atiku’s Gotel Communication and other businesses had experienced months of unpaid salaries and staged protests over outstanding wages and benefits.
The campaign council further criticised Aregbesola’s record as Osun governor between 2010 and 2018, accusing his administration of mismanaging the state’s finances and introducing half-salary and quarter-salary payments for workers.
It also alleged that pensioners were left without adequate payments for more than four years, with some dying amid hardship.
The APC said the alleged failure of the ADC leadership to pay its employees reflected what it described as a broader pattern of disregard for workers’ welfare.
“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,” the statement said.
The council maintained that a political party aspiring to govern Nigeria must demonstrate financial responsibility and accountability in managing its internal affairs.
The ADC leadership is yet to respond to the claims of unpaid salaries as of press time.
