REJOINDER: BALARABE’S CALL FOR SUBSIDY REVIEW IS A CALL FOR ECONOMIC RELIEF, NOT A REJECTION OF REFORM.

REJOINDER: BALARABE’S CALL FOR SUBSIDY REVIEW IS A CALL FOR ECONOMIC RELIEF, NOT A REJECTION OF REFORM.

The attention of the Balarabe Campaign Organisation for Akure North/South Federal Constituency has been drawn to the reaction by Mr. Bright Eniafe, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s Media and Strategic Communications Committee, to the recent media parley addressed by our candidate, Barr. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi.

We appreciate the engagement generated by our candidate’s remarks and recognise Mr. Eniafe’s right to offer a contrary perspective. However, we consider it necessary to clarify the substance of Barr. Akinwumi’s position to prevent misinterpretation and ensure that the conversation remains focused on the issues rather than political sentiments.

Barr. Akinwumi’s position on fuel subsidy is neither an endorsement of the corruption that characterised the old subsidy regime nor an outright dismissal of the need for economic reforms.

His central argument is that the removal of subsidy should not become an excuse to overlook the economic hardship confronting ordinary Nigerians.

Specifically, the MHR hopeful said, “The subsidy was not the problem, but the corruption that came with it. With the hardship that its removal has brought upon the people, it has to be reviewed to cushion the effects on the masses."

The call for a subsidy review is a call for government to examine available options for reducing the hardship associated with fuel costs.

We respect Mr. Eniafe’s contribution to the debate, however, political disagreement should not be allowed to distort the substance of a candidate’s position, as we understand and know that he has a job to do for his party, if he had taken time to understand the position of Hon. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi, ADC Candidate for Akure North and South Federal Constituency in the forthcoming election, his views would have been different. 

Hon. Akinwumi is not campaigning on the premise that every government policy must be rejected. Rather, he is advocating a governance approach in which policies are subjected to constructive scrutiny, where citizens’ concerns are taken seriously and public institutions remain accountable.

His candidacy is anchored on his “THE AKURE BALANCED DIET” agenda, which emphasises employment generation, infrastructural development, poverty reduction, economic opportunities and effective legislative representation.

The people of Akure North and South deserve representation that listens, asks difficult questions and advances practical solutions without losing sight of the larger national interest.

Barr. Balarabe Abiodun Akinwumi remains committed to issue based politics, constructive engagement and people centred representation.