By Habeeb Ibrahim
Shehu A. Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and journalist Kayode Badmus have exchanged words on X over the transportation expenses of Abubakar’s driver.
The exchange began after Abubakar said his driver spends ₦3,000 daily on transportation to and from work.
According to him, the expense amounts to about ₦60,000 monthly and ₦720,000 annually.
He also said the driver’s annual house rent is ₦400,000, while noting that the driver earns ₦130,000 monthly.
“It is only in BAT’s Nigeria that households spend more on transport costs than accommodation!” Abubakar wrote, referring to President Bola Tinubu.
Responding to the post, Badmus questioned whether Abubakar provides additional support for the driver as his employer.
“As an employer, one would have expected him to talk about how he is supporting his said worker. Does he have transport allowance, does he have housing support from his employer? How about other benefits?” Badmus wrote.
Badmus also referenced Atiku Abubakar’s position on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, arguing that the former vice president had opposed the project while his son was criticising the government over transportation costs.
Abubakar responded that the issue was not limited to his own employee.
“You guys always run away from the main issue. If I can take care of my employees, what about other millions of Nigerians facing the same challenge?” he said.
The exchange later became focused on Atiku Abubakar’s political record and his family.
Badmus accused the former vice president of contributing to Nigeria’s longstanding problems and questioned Abubakar’s criticism of the current administration.
He also questioned why Abubakar’s driver has to spend a significant amount of his monthly income on transportation.
Based on the figures cited by Abubakar, the driver earns ₦1.56 million annually, while his stated annual transportation expense is ₦720,000.
The exchange comes amid ongoing public discussions about transportation costs, wages and living expenses in Nigeria.
