The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of owing its staff more than 12 months of salaries.
The council urged Nigerians to reject the ADC, its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and other party candidates in the 2027 general elections.
APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson Dele Alake made the allegations in a press statement dated October 26, 2026.
The statement criticised the ADC’s leadership, which includes Senator David Mark as National Working Committee chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as secretary. The APC argued that a party unable to pay its workers should not be trusted to govern the country.
The allegations add to political exchanges between the ruling party and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections. In a separate development, the APC Presidential Campaign Council recently denied an alleged plot to assassinate Atiku Abubakar.
APC Questions ADC’s Ability to Govern
The campaign council described the reported salary arrears as unacceptable, arguing that party employees depend on their earnings for daily needs.
It accused the ADC of making promises to Nigerians while allegedly neglecting its own workforce. The APC said the situation raised questions about the party’s credibility and commitment to workers’ welfare.
According to the statement, the ADC leadership’s alleged failure to pay staff undermines its claims to offer Nigerians a different approach to governance.
The council also accused Atiku and other ADC leaders of pursuing power for personal interests rather than the country’s welfare. These assertions represent the APC’s position and were not independently established by the statement.
Political parties are already positioning themselves ahead of the next general elections. Recent developments include the NDC’s preparations for its 2027 presidential campaign council.
APC Raises Questions About Atiku’s Business Record
The APC statement also accused Atiku of having a history of delayed salary payments to employees of his businesses.
Alake alleged that workers at Gotel Communication and other businesses associated with the former vice president had experienced months without pay. He further claimed that some workers protested over unpaid salaries and other benefits.
The council used these allegations to question Atiku’s ability to protect workers’ interests if elected president.
However, the statement did not provide supporting documents or a response from Atiku or the affected businesses. The claims therefore remain allegations made by the APC campaign council.
Atiku remains a prominent figure in opposition politics as parties prepare for the 2027 presidential contest. His political activities have also drawn reactions from other politicians, including Dino Melaye, who threatened mass action over an alleged plot to arrest him.
Council Criticises Aregbesola’s Record in Osun
The APC also criticised Aregbesola’s record as governor of Osun State, where he served for eight years.
According to Alake, the former governor’s administration struggled to meet its salary obligations to civil servants and pensioners. The statement alleged that the government introduced quarter-salary and half-salary payments during his tenure.
The council further claimed that pensioners went for more than four years without receiving their full entitlements. It alleged that the situation caused severe hardship for retirees who depended on their pensions for basic needs.
The APC linked these allegations to its criticism of the ADC’s current leadership. It argued that the party’s reported staff salary arrears reflected a broader concern about how its leaders might handle public responsibilities.
The statement did not include a response from Aregbesola or the ADC to the allegations. Their positions on the claims were not provided in the press release.
Disputes over salary and pension arrears have also featured in other political exchanges. In one example, the Anambra Government released salary arrears records while challenging Peter Obi’s account of the state’s finances.
APC Calls on Nigerians to Reject ADC Candidates
The campaign council called on Nigerians, particularly workers, to reject the ADC and its candidates in the next general elections.
It argued that a party seeking to govern Nigeria must demonstrate accountability in managing its own affairs and providing for its employees.
“A party that aspires to govern Nigeria and which cannot be trusted with something as basic as the management of its own affairs and the welfare of its workforce should be rejected by Nigerians,” the statement said.
The council maintained that the reported salary arrears contradicted the ADC’s promises to voters. It also questioned the sincerity of the party’s leaders as they position themselves for the election.
The statement forms part of the political messaging emerging ahead of the 2027 contest. Edo State Commissioner for Information Kassim Afegbua has also made headlines with his prediction of the likely positions of Tinubu, Atiku and Peter Obi in the presidential race.
Political Tensions Rise Ahead of 2027 Elections
The APC’s statement adds to growing political exchanges involving the ruling party and opposition leaders.
President Bola Tinubu’s supporters have continued to mobilise ahead of the election, while opposition groups are working to strengthen their political structures and campaign strategies.
The ruling party has also received public backing from some state leaders. An earlier report covered Soludo’s description of support for Tinubu’s re-election as unprecedented.
Meanwhile, political figures outside the APC have continued to make their positions known. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori recently addressed workers and party supporters during the inauguration of the Delta APC Campaign Council.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council’s latest statement was signed by Dele Alake on October 26, 2026. It urged voters to consider the allegations against the ADC when deciding which candidates to support.
The ADC and the individuals named in the statement had not provided responses within the supplied press release. The allegations should therefore be distinguished from independently verified findings as the political debate continues.
