Ondo ADC Candidate Supports Fuel Subsidy Return

The candidate for the African Democratic Congress in the Akure South/Akure North Federal Constituency of Ondo State, Mr Balarabe Akinwumi, has said he will back the return of fuel subsidy if he wins the election.

Akinwumi explained that removing the subsidy has caused serious hardship for Nigerians. He believes it should be brought back and watched closely to stop corruption.

He made these comments while talking to journalists in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday.

While pushing for the subsidy’s return, he also promised to support a law to create state police. He thinks both plans are needed to solve Nigeria’s security and economic problems.

Akinwumi said, “Our party has made it clear that we need to return subsidy and make it work for the benefit of our people. There is no country in the world that does not find a way to cushion the effects of some sectors through interventions.

“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 the issue of insecurity, Akinwumi noted that the situation in some parts of Ondo State is worrying. He explained that having state police would help security agents understand the local terrain, languages, and cultures of the areas they protect.

He said security agencies need more funding and better equipment to face these challenges. He called for more investments in surveillance tech, drones, night-vision goggles, and intelligence gathering. He also stressed the need for proper monitoring of security budgets to make sure funds are used correctly.

He added, “Community policing through collaboration among traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and security agencies to improve intelligence sharing and public participation in security.”

If he gets elected, Akinwumi promised to push for and support efforts to tackle infrastructure issues in the federal constituency. He pointed out bad roads, unemployment, poverty, and lack of economic opportunities as major problems in the area.

He said his plans will focus on “infrastructural development, vocational training, job creation and improved access to financial support for small businesses.”

Regarding women’s empowerment, he suggested changing existing loan rules that make it hard for women and young entrepreneurs to get government-backed financial help.

He also promised to help connect women-owned businesses with organizations like the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria and the Bank of Industry to make it easier for them to access affordable financing.