The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) of failing to pay its workers for more than 12 months, questioning the party's capacity to govern Nigeria if elected in 2027. The ADC has rejected the allegation as false and challenged the ruling party to provide evidence.
The accusation was made on Monday, October 26, 2026, in a statement issued by the APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Dele Alake. He alleged that the ADC National Working Committee, led by former Senate President David Mark as national chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as national secretary, had neglected its financial obligations to party employees.
Alake described the alleged non-payment of salaries as unacceptable, arguing that a political organisation seeking national leadership should demonstrate responsibility towards 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 withholding salaries from employees who depended on their earnings for daily living was unfair and raised serious questions about the party's commitment to workers' welfare.
The APC spokesperson argued that the alleged salary arrears contradicted the ADC's promises to improve governance and economic conditions.
According to him, a political party unable to manage its internal financial responsibilities should not be entrusted with the administration of a country facing significant economic and social challenges.
Alake also directed criticism at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC's presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
He alleged that businesses associated with Atiku, including Gotel Communication, had previously experienced salary payment disputes involving employees.
The APC spokesperson claimed that some workers had protested over unpaid wages and other employment benefits.
However, the statement did not provide payroll records, employment documents or other independently verifiable evidence establishing the alleged current salary arrears within the ADC.
The council further criticised Aregbesola's record as governor of Osun State between 2010 and 2018.
Alake alleged that the former governor's administration struggled to meet salary and pension obligations, resulting in partial payments to public servants.
He referred to the introduction of quarter-salary and half-salary arrangements during Aregbesola's tenure and accused the administration of failing to meet some pension obligations.
The APC campaign council presented those allegations as evidence of what it described as a pattern of poor financial management among leading figures in the opposition party.
Alake urged Nigerians to consider the alleged employment records of the ADC leadership when assessing the party's promises ahead of the presidential election.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that political leaders should be judged not only by their campaign promises but also by their management of institutions and employees under their responsibility.
The ADC, however, rejected the allegations and accused the APC of attempting to divert public attention from the Tinubu administration's performance.
In a statement issued on Monday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi described the accusation as an irresponsible falsehood.
“The ADC categorically rejects this allegation as an irresponsible falsehood, deliberately concocted to mislead Nigerians and distract attention from the monumental failures of the Tinubu administration,” Abdullahi said.
He challenged the ruling party to provide credible evidence that ADC employees had gone without salaries for more than a year.
The opposition spokesperson argued that political accusations should be supported by verifiable facts rather than statements designed to damage the reputation of rival parties.
According to Abdullahi, the APC should concentrate on explaining its record in government, particularly concerning economic hardship, unemployment and insecurity.
He accused the ruling party of preparing to contest the 2027 election through attacks on opposition figures instead of presenting achievements and proposals to voters.
The ADC maintained that the cost of living should remain central to national political debate.
Abdullahi argued that Nigerians were more concerned about the affordability of food, transportation and other necessities than accusations exchanged between political parties.
He said the opposition would continue focusing on economic conditions and the impact of government policies on households.
The exchange represents another escalation in the political confrontation between the APC and ADC as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
Both parties have increasingly challenged each other's credibility, leadership records and capacity to address Nigeria's economic difficulties.
The APC has defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, including petrol subsidy removal and changes to the foreign exchange system, as necessary measures to stabilise public finances and encourage investment.
Opposition parties, including the ADC, have questioned whether those reforms have produced sufficient improvements in employment, household incomes and living standards.
The latest controversy introduces the treatment of party employees as another issue in the debate over political accountability.
Salary payments are an important responsibility for employers, including political organisations that maintain permanent administrative staff.
However, determining whether an organisation owes its employees requires evidence of employment arrangements, agreed payment dates, outstanding amounts and the periods involved.
Neither the APC's public accusation nor the ADC's denial, by itself, conclusively establishes the financial position of the opposition party.
The APC statement did not identify the affected employees, specify their outstanding salary amounts or present documentary records supporting the allegation.
Similarly, the ADC's public response rejected the accusation but did not include payroll documents demonstrating that all relevant obligations had been met.
The absence of independently verified employment records means the allegation remains disputed.
The claims concerning Atiku's businesses and Aregbesola's previous administration also require separate consideration because they concern different institutions and periods.
Even where earlier employment disputes have been documented, they do not automatically establish that the ADC currently owes its employees salaries.
The political significance of the disagreement lies in the competing arguments about leadership credibility and the management of public and private responsibilities.
The APC maintains that the alleged salary arrears undermine the opposition's claim to offer better governance.
The ADC insists that the accusation is unfounded and reflects an attempt to distract voters from the government's economic performance.
As the 2027 election approaches, both parties are expected to face increasing scrutiny over their policies, financial management and promises to Nigerian workers.
For now, the central allegation remains unresolved, with the ADC demanding evidence and the APC urging voters to judge the opposition by what it describes as its record on workers' welfare.
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