ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigeria’s political space witnessed sharp divisions on Friday as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi used the 2026 International Workers’ Day to assess the condition of Nigerian workers, with both men criticising the economic realities under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
In a message shared on his X platform, Obi described workers as “the backbone of every nation,” commending their sacrifices across sectors including education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, security and production.
He lamented that despite their critical contributions to national development, Nigerian workers continue to endure severe hardship, stressing that the current minimum wage can no longer guarantee a decent standard of living amid rising inflation, soaring food prices and escalating transportation costs.
“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 said.
He emphasised that no nation can rise beyond the strength of its workforce, noting that worker welfare remains central to productivity and economic growth.
Obi also urged workers to recognise their political influence by using their collective voice and votes to demand leadership grounded in competence, character, capacity, credibility and compassion.
READ ALSO Why Atiku, Obi Cannot Win In 2027 — Keyamo
“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 added, reiterating his mantra that “a New Nigeria is Possible.”
In a separate and more critical message, Atiku said he marked Workers’ Day not with celebration but with “grief,” accusing the Tinubu administration of worsening hardship under the banner of “Renewed Hope.”
According to him, the promise has turned into a betrayal, arguing that what has been renewed is hardship rather than hope.
“The Nigerian worker has been the primary victim of an administration that is more interested in increasing revenue than improving the lives of citizens,” he said.
Atiku revisited the removal of fuel subsidy, acknowledging it as a necessary reform but criticising its execution as “irresponsible and callous,” noting that it was implemented without adequate preparation or social safety nets.
He argued that the policy triggered a surge in transportation costs, rising food prices and widespread economic strain for workers already grappling with inflation.
While noting that trillions of naira had been saved from the subsidy removal, he alleged that Nigerians had not felt the benefits, claiming the funds had been shared across different tiers of government without tangible impact on citizens.
The former Vice President also questioned spending priorities, particularly funding for major infrastructure projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, raising concerns over procurement transparency and governance priorities.
Despite their differing tones, both opposition figures aligned on the importance of workers to national development. While Obi focused on empowerment and civic responsibility, Atiku concentrated on economic management and policy failures.
Workers’ Day, observed globally every May 1, is dedicated to celebrating labour contributions and advocating improved working conditions, a message that resonated strongly amid Nigeria’s current economic challenges.