ADC Warns Of Mass Protest Over Unpaid Debts And Pensions

A rising wave of anger is building as the African Democratic Congress signals its readiness to join nationwide protests over billions of naira owed to contractors and pensioners.

The warning came after weeks of public outcry from groups demanding payments for completed federal projects and long-delayed pension entitlements.

The tension follows repeated demonstrations by the Association of Indigenous Contractors of Nigeria, whose members have gathered at the ministry of finance carrying symbolic coffins to draw attention to over N500 billion in certified but unpaid debts. At the same time, pensioners from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and other agencies have set December 8 for a nationwide protest over the non-implementation of the minimum pension and monthly palliative approved since 2023.

The ADC’s position was delivered in a statement by its spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, who criticised the federal government for failing to respond to the hardship facing those owed. He said the situation had pushed citizens into extreme forms of protest, reflecting a growing sense of neglect.

His statement questioned the government’s claims of high revenue performance while contractors and pensioners continue to struggle with long-standing arrears. He noted that many affected individuals have completed their jobs or served the nation but remain trapped in financial uncertainty.

The party also accused government officials of shifting attention toward preparations for the 2027 elections, pointing to reports of campaign vehicle distribution and political mobilisation while core obligations remain unsettled.

With public frustration rising, the ADC said it is ready to join the streets if nothing changes. It noted that the suffering of contractors and pensioners has gone on for too long and insisted that payment delays must be resolved without further excuses.