Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the economic direction of President Bola Tinubu, stating that Nigerian workers are enduring severe hardship under current reforms.
In a Workers’ Day message posted on Friday, May 1, on his X handle, Atiku said the occasion calls for sober reflection rather than celebration, given the realities facing citizens.
“This year’s Workers’ Day is not a moment of joy for millions of Nigerians. It is a painful reminder of broken promises and a growing burden placed on the shoulders of those who keep this country running,” he said.
While acknowledging that the removal of fuel subsidy was necessary, Atiku argued that its rollout lacked proper planning and safeguards.
“Let me be clear: the removal of fuel subsidy was inevitable and long overdue.
“However, its implementation by this administration was hasty, unstructured, and devoid of the necessary safeguards to protect ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
He explained that the immediate impact of the policy has been a steep rise in living costs, leaving workers to cope without adequate support.
“What we have witnessed is a dramatic surge in the cost of living without any commensurate increase in wages or meaningful support systems.
“The Nigerian worker has been left to absorb shocks that should have been mitigated by responsible governance,” he added.
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Atiku also raised concerns about the utilisation of funds reportedly saved from subsidy removal, saying there is little evidence of improvement in citizens’ daily lives.
“Trillions of naira have reportedly been saved, yet the average Nigerian cannot point to a single aspect of their lives that has improved as a result.
“This raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and priorities,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to adopt practical measures to ease economic pressure, including wage reviews, targeted interventions, and increased investment in sectors such as healthcare and education.
“Economic reforms must be people-centred. Growth that does not translate into improved living conditions for workers is neither inclusive nor sustainable,” Atiku added.
Expressing solidarity with Nigerian workers, he called for urgent action to address their concerns.
“On this Workers’ Day, I stand in solidarity with every Nigerian worker.
“Their resilience is remarkable, but resilience should not be mistaken for endurance of endless hardship. The time to act is now,” he added.
Workers’ Day, observed every May 1, honours the contributions of workers while also highlighting ongoing labour and economic challenges.