The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of failing to pay its staff for over a year, questioning the party’s capacity to manage Nigeria’s affairs if given the opportunity to govern.
The council, in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake, alleged that the ADC National Working Committee, led by Senator David Mark as chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as secretary, had neglected the welfare of party workers despite their continued service.
Alake described the alleged non-payment of salaries as unacceptable, arguing that a party aspiring to lead the country should demonstrate responsibility by meeting its obligations to its own workforce.
“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,” he said.
He added that workers who depend on their salaries to meet their daily needs deserved better treatment, describing the alleged situation as “wicked and reprehensible.”
The APC campaign spokesperson said the development raised questions about the ADC’s claims of offering Nigerians a credible alternative, arguing that the party’s handling of its internal affairs should be a matter of concern to voters.
Alake also criticised the ADC’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, alleging that he had a history of salary-related disputes involving employees of his businesses, including Gotel Communication.
According to the statement, some workers at the media company and other businesses associated with Atiku had previously experienced delays in salary payments and staged protests over unpaid wages and other entitlements.
The APC campaign council further criticised Aregbesola’s record as governor of Osun State, alleging that his administration struggled to meet its salary and pension obligations during his eight years in office.
Alake recalled the introduction of half-salary and quarter-salary arrangements for workers under the former administration, while also alleging that pensioners endured prolonged delays in receiving their entitlements.
He argued that these experiences raised concerns about the leadership and administrative capacity of the opposition party.
“We are therefore not surprised that ADC, harbouring birds of the same feather, cannot pay its workers’ salaries,” Alake said.
The APC campaign council urged Nigerians, particularly workers, to consider the allegations when assessing the ADC and its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
It maintained that a political party seeking the mandate to govern Nigeria must demonstrate accountability, financial responsibility and concern for the welfare of its woworkforce.
“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 concluded that the management of party affairs and the treatment of employees should form part of the criteria Nigerians use in evaluating political parties seeking public office.