Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Friday criticised the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing worsening living conditions for Nigerian workers.
The opposition figures, in separate messages to commemorate International Workers’ Day, reflected on the state of the nation’s workforce, with both expressing concern over rising hardship.
Obi, in a post on his X handle, described workers as the backbone of national development, commending their contributions across key sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation and security.
He, however, lamented that despite their efforts, many workers continue to struggle under economic pressures, noting that the current minimum wage is no longer sufficient to guarantee a decent standard of living amid inflation and rising costs.
The former Anambra State governor stressed that no country can progress beyond the strength of its workforce, urging workers to leverage their political influence to demand accountable leadership.
He called for a system anchored on competence, integrity and compassion, encouraging citizens to use their votes to promote good governance.
In a separate message, Atiku said he marked the occasion with concern rather than celebration, accusing the Federal Government of worsening economic hardship under its “Renewed Hope” agenda.
He argued that recent policy decisions had deepened the burden on workers, who he described as the most affected by the current economic realities.
The former vice president criticised the implementation of fuel subsidy removal, acknowledging it as necessary but faulting its execution, which he said lacked adequate planning and safety measures.
According to him, the policy triggered increases in transport fares, food prices and general cost of living, further straining workers already grappling with inflation.
Atiku also questioned the utilisation of funds saved from subsidy removal, alleging that the benefits had yet to translate into meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives.
He raised concerns over government spending priorities, including major infrastructure projects, and called for greater transparency in public finance management.
Despite their differing tones, both leaders emphasised the critical role of workers in national development, calling for policies that prioritise their welfare.
International Workers’ Day is observed annually to recognise the contributions of workers and advocate improved working conditions globally.
