The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council has urged Nigerians to reject the African Democratic Congress and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2027 general election over alleged failure to pay party staff salaries for more than 12 months.
The ADC, however, accused the APC of using the allegation to divert attention from the economic hardship and insecurity facing Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
APC campaign council, in a statement by its spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, on Monday, accused the ADC National Working Committee, led by David Mark as chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, of neglecting the welfare of party workers despite their daily service to the party.
The council also criticised Atiku and Aregbesola over their records on workers’ welfare, alleging that Atiku’s businesses had previously owed employees salaries, while Aregbesola’s administration as Osun State governor introduced partial salary payments and left pensioners unpaid for years.
APC PCC stated, “It has come to our attention that the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress, led by Senator David Mark as Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as Secretary, has refused and neglected to pay party staff for over a year.
“We find it unconscionable that a political party that has made many grandiose promises to hoodwink Nigerians owes its workers for more than 12 months. Owing staff who come to work every day and who rely on the salaries for their daily sustenance is wicked and reprehensible.
“With this development, Nigerians can now see the emptiness and insincerity of those parading themselves as ‘new saviours’.
“We have clearly stated that ADC leaders and their presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, do not mean well and can do nothing for our country.
“Their desperation for power is driven by personal aggrandisement and venomous ill will against President Bola Tinubu. A party that cannot pay its cleaners and workforce cannot be entrusted with our country’s affairs.”
