The candidate of the African Democratic Congress for the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency in Ondo State, Mr Balarabe Akinwumi, has pledged to support the return of fuel subsidy if elected.
Akinwumi argued that the removal of the subsidy had brought untold hardship to Nigerians and should be reversed and properly monitored to prevent corruption.
The ADC candidate stated this while addressing journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.
While advocating the return of the subsidy, he also vowed to support the passage of legislation establishing state police, saying both policies were necessary to address Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.
“We can no longer be policing current security threats with 20th-century tools. We need to invest in intelligence gathering, modern equipment and technology to meet the security challenges confronting the country.”
On insecurity, Akinwumi described the situation in parts of Ondo State as a major concern, explaining that state police would enable security personnel to become more familiar the local terrain, languages and cultures of the communities they serve.
The ADC candidate, who said security agencies needed adequate funding and modern equipment to tackle security challenges, called for increased investment in surveillance technology, drones, night-vision goggles and intelligence gathering. He also advocated proper monitoring of security budgets to ensure that funds were used for their intended purposes.
He further advocated “community policing through collaboration among traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and security agencies to improve intelligence sharing and public participation in security.”
If elected, Akinwumi promised to sponsor and support motions aimed at addressing infrastructure challenges in the federal constituency. He identified poor roads, unemployment, poverty and inadequate economic opportunities as major challenges facing the constituency.
He said his legislative agenda would prioritise “infrastructural development, vocational training, job creation and improved access to financial support for small businesses.”
On women’s empowerment, he proposed a review of existing loan requirements that make it difficult for women and young entrepreneurs to access government-backed financial interventions.
He also pledged to work towards connecting women-owned businesses with agencies such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry to improve their access to affordable financing.
