Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi used the 2026 International Workers’ Day to draw attention to the struggles of Nigerian workers, criticising the economic policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a message posted on X, Obi praised workers as the backbone of society, recognising their contributions across sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, security, and manufacturing. However, he lamented that many are facing severe economic hardship due to rising inflation, increased food prices, and higher transport costs, which have significantly reduced the value of wages.
He argued that the current minimum wage is no longer sufficient to sustain a decent standard of living.
“It is deeply painful that those who wake up every day to teach, heal, build, farm, produce, transport, protect, and serve our nation are still denied the dignity and fair reward their labour deserves,” Obi stated.
He stressed that national development depends on prioritising workers’ welfare and urged citizens to use their collective political strength to demand accountable leadership grounded in competence and integrity.
“By refusing to reward failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, they can help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity,” he said, adding that “a New Nigeria is POssible.”
In a separate statement, Atiku said he observed Workers’ Day in “grief,” accusing the current administration of worsening economic conditions under its “Renewed Hope” agenda. He claimed that Nigerian workers have borne the brunt of recent policies, which he said have prioritised revenue generation over citizens’ wellbeing.
“The Nigerian worker has been the primary victim of an administration that is more interested in increasing revenue than improving the lives of citizens,” Atiku said.
He revisited the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as a necessary reform that was poorly implemented, arguing that it was introduced without adequate measures to cushion its impact. According to him, the policy triggered increases in transportation fares, food prices, and overall living costs.
Atiku also questioned how savings from the subsidy removal have been utilised, noting a lack of visible benefits for ordinary Nigerians. He further raised concerns about transparency in major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
While both leaders adopted different approaches, they aligned in emphasising the importance of workers to national development, with Obi focusing on civic responsibility and mobilisation, and Atiku highlighting policy outcomes and economic realities.