By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of failing to protect Nigerian workers from worsening economic conditions, rising insecurity, and limited employment opportunities.
In a Workers’ Day statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said millions of Nigerians are working harder but earning less as inflation continues to erode wages and the cost of living rises across key sectors.
“Across Nigeria today, workers are doing more and earning less. Rising costs of food, transport, housing, and energy have eroded the value of wages,” the statement said, adding that for many citizens, hard work no longer guarantees stability or upward mobility.
The party attributed the situation to what it described as policy failures by the government, particularly in addressing insecurity and stimulating economic growth. According to the ADC, persistent insecurity has disrupted farming and business activities, while job creation has failed to keep pace with the growing population of job seekers.
“This hardship is not accidental. It is the direct consequence of policy choices and governance failures,” the party stated, noting that the rising cost of living has not been matched with any meaningful intervention to cushion its impact on workers.
The ADC further argued that a government that cannot guarantee safety, create jobs, or stabilise living costs is failing its workforce, warning that such conditions are unsustainable for national development.
“A nation that does not reward work cannot build prosperity,” Abdullahi said.
The party, however, reaffirmed its commitment to policies aimed at improving workers’ welfare, including job creation, economic stability, and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. It outlined plans to unlock key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services to generate employment and boost productivity.
It also emphasised the need to restore security as a foundation for economic activity and to stabilise the macroeconomic environment so that wages can regain value.
“Workers are not asking for charity. They are asking for fairness,” the statement added, insisting that policies must be designed with the Nigerian worker at the centre.
The ADC called for urgent reforms to address inflation, reduce the cost of living, and ensure that economic growth translates into improved incomes and better living standards for Nigerians.
