Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidies on the day of his inauguration.
He described it as a hasty and ill-considered move that triggered a wave of economic hardship across the country.
In a statement posted on his X page on Sunday, Atiku said the policy buried the average Nigerian under the crushing weight of inflation, widespread hunger, and growing despair.
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He noted that in an attempt to manage the crisis it had created, the Tinubu administration pledged to pay a wage award to federal civil servants as a temporary relief measure, pending the conclusion of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.
However, Atiku argued that like many other promises made by the current government, this too has become a broken covenant.
He further criticised the government for taking a staggering 10 months to arrive at a new minimum wage figure, underscoring what he described as its lack of urgency and empathy in addressing the plight of Nigerians.
“By implication, the Federal Government owes 10 months of wage award arrears to federal workers. Yet, only six months have been paid and that too after a series of unfulfilled assurances and avoidable delays.
“As of today, the Federal Government owes four months of wage awards, amounting to ₦35,000 monthly, a total of ₦140,000 per worker”, Atiku said.
He further noted that, while several state governments had demonstrated commendable responsibility in managing labour affairs, the Tinubu-led federal government had distinguished itself by its callous indifference and blatant disregard for the welfare of workers.
To make matters worse, he added, rather than honouring its commitments or engaging in meaningful dialogue, the Tinubu administration had resorted to tyranny and the suppression of free speech.
Atiku said, “Nearly two weeks ago, Comrade Andrew Uche Emelieze was arrested and detained for attempting to organise a peaceful protest to demand the payment of the overdue wage awards. His only ‘crime’ was speaking up for workers abandoned by the state.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Emelieze. His continued detention is an affront to democracy, a slap in the face of every Nigerian worker, and a chilling reminder of the authoritarian drift of the Tinubu administration.
“Let it be known: Nigerian workers will not be silenced, intimidated, or forgotten. The economic hardship is real, the hunger is biting, and the government must act, not repress.”
