The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that it may mobilise nationwide street marches in solidarity with thousands of indigenous contractors and pensioners who are owed billions of naira by the Federal Government.
In a statement on Sunday, the party’s spokesperson, Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi, accused the government of insensitivity to the plight of citizens, particularly those who have completed public projects or retired after years of service.
Contractors under the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria (AICON) have held several demonstrations at the Ministry of Finance, carrying symbolic coffins to demand payment of more than ₦500 billion in verified debts for completed federal projects spanning several years.
Similarly, pensioners from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and other agencies have scheduled Monday, December 8, for a nationwide “naked protest” over the non-implementation of minimum pension adjustments and monthly palliative payments approved since 2023.
Mr. Abdullahi described the situation as a national embarrassment.
“No serious government allows things to deteriorate to the point where citizens must resort to coffins and naked protests before they are taken seriously,” he said.
He added that the crisis reflected what he called “gross indifference” from the present administration.
“This only further confirms that the APC government is insensitive and does not care about the damage their actions or inactions do to the country’s image, and more importantly, to the livelihood of ordinary citizens,” he said.
The ADC criticised what it called conflicting government narratives, noting that the government repeatedly claims to have surpassed revenue targets while refusing to settle longstanding obligations.
“You cannot claim revenue excellence while ordinary Nigerians are drowning in unpaid debts. Something is not adding up,” Abdullahi said.
He further accused the government of shifting its focus to preparations for the 2027 election cycle, citing reports of procurement of campaign vehicles and mobilisation of political coordinators while contractors and pensioners remain unpaid.
“A government that cannot pay its own contractors and cannot honour its obligations to pensioners has absolutely no moral right to be campaigning for another term,” he said.
The party signalled readiness to join the agitation.
“The ADC is therefore prepared to march in solidarity with them if the government refuses to act immediately to address their plight,” Abdullahi said.
Both groups have vowed to sustain their protests until the government releases their payments, raising the prospect of prolonged demonstrations if the impasse persists.
