ADC denies owing workers salaries, challenges APC to provide evidence

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has denied owing its workers salaries, challenging the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to provide evidence supporting the claim.

The denial followed a statement by the APC campaign council spokesperson, Dele Alake, alleging that the ADC leadership had failed to pay its employees for more than 12 months.

In a statement on Monday, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the allegation as false and accused the ruling party of attempting to divert attention from the Tinubu administration’s record.

“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,” he said.

“If the APC has any credible evidence to support its claims, it should produce it rather than continue to insult Nigerians with fabricated stories masquerading as press statements.”

Mr Abdullahi said the APC should address the rising cost of living, unemployment and insecurity rather than make allegations about the opposition party’s internal affairs.

He accused the ruling party of preparing to campaign for the 2027 elections by attacking its opponents instead of presenting its achievements in government.

“It is becoming increasingly clear that the APC has decided to run its 2027 campaign on allegations against the opposition rather than achievements of its own,” he said.

“That is what happens when a government has spent years making promises it cannot keep and excuses it cannot defend.”

The ADC spokesperson urged Mr Alake and other APC campaign officials to explain the government’s economic policies and their effects on Nigerians.

He said the ADC would keep focusing on the cost of living ahead of the elections.

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“This election is about one issue only: the cost of living that the Tinubu administration has pushed beyond the reach of the majority of Nigerians. The ADC will stay focused on this issue. We will not be distracted,” he said.

Background

In its earlier statement, the APC Presidential Campaign Council accused the ADC National Working Committee, led by David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola, of failing to pay party employees for more than 12 months.

The council also raised allegations concerning the employment records of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Mr Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State.

The allegations have not been independently established.

The ADC did not provide payroll records or other documentary evidence in its statement to substantiate its denial.