The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Mr. Balarabe Akinwumi, has pledged to support the reinstatement of the petrol subsidy if elected to the House of Representatives.
Speaking with journalists in Akure on Tuesday, Akinwumi argued that the removal of the fuel subsidy has inflicted severe economic hardship on Nigerians, stressing that it should be restored and properly monitored to curb corruption.
“Our party has made it clear that we need to return subsidy and make it work for the benefit of our people,” Akinwumi said. “There is no country in the world that does not find a way to cushion the effects of some sectors through interventions.”
Legislative Agenda: State Police and Security Reforms
Alongside economic interventions, Akinwumi pledged to support constitutional amendments and legislation establishing state police to tackle Nigeria’s escalating security challenges.
He noted that state policing would allow officers who understand the local terrain, culture, and language to protect communities more effectively.
“We can no longer be policing current security threats with 20th-century tools,” he emphasized, calling for higher budget monitoring and significant investments in surveillance technology, drones, night-vision equipment, and intelligence gathering.
He also advocated for community policing frameworks that involve traditional rulers, religious leaders, and youth organizations to strengthen intelligence sharing.
Highlighting the key issues in Akure South/Akure North, Akinwumi identified bad roads, high unemployment, and poverty as critical hurdles facing his constituents.
His legislative promises include: Infrastructure & Jobs: Prioritizing road repairs, vocational training programs, and job creation.
Access to Capital: Reviewing stringent loan requirements that hinder women and youth entrepreneurs from accessing government grants and low-interest funding.
Institutional Support: Facilitating direct links between local women-owned businesses and funding agencies such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) and the Bank of Industry (BOI).
