ADC Threatens to Join Contractors, Pensioners in Protest Over Unpaid Federal Debts

 

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that it may join the ongoing demonstrations by local contractors and pensioners if the Federal Government fails to urgently address their demands.

The opposition party issued the threat in a statement on Sunday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. It condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s “scandalous indebtedness” to indigenous contractors and federal pensioners, insisting the situation reflects a lack of compassion under the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

According to the ADC, the prolonged demonstrations by contractors—some of whom have camped at the Federal Ministry of Finance with symbolic coffins—show the level of frustration and despair created by the government’s failure to settle debts for completed projects.

The party also expressed solidarity with pensioners who, after years of unpaid arrears, have threatened to march unclothed if their entitlements remain withheld.

“No responsible government allows national issues to degenerate to the point where citizens must resort to extreme demonstrations before they are heard,” the statement said. “This only reinforces the insensitivity of the APC government and how little concern it has for the dignity and livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.”

The ADC questioned the Federal Government’s repeated claims of surpassing revenue targets, noting that despite such declarations, contractors are still owed over N500 billion while pensioners continue to await long-approved increments and palliatives.

“If the nation’s finances are as strong as the government claims, why are these obligations still unattended to?” the party queried. “A government that cannot pay its contractors or honour commitments to retirees has no moral standing to focus on electioneering activities for 2027.”

The ADC vowed to stand with the affected groups, stressing that it is ready to march alongside them if the Federal Government fails to immediately resolve the crisis.

“Where this government destroys trust, we will rebuild it. Where they abandon responsibility, we will uphold it,” the statement added.

The party urged the Federal Government to urgently settle the outstanding debts and restore dignity to citizens who have been pushed into avoidable hardship.