‘I’ll address deficits in housing, transport and infrastructure’

Housing is at the centre of his policy priorities. He describes it as a foundational issue with ripple effects on health, education, productivity, and wellbeing. “Lagos has a housing deficit running into millions of units, and the private sector alone cannot bridge that gap—especially for low- and middle-income earners,” he argued. To address this, he seeks a more interventionist role for government through sustained public housing programmes that prioritise affordability and integration. “Housing must be linked to transport systems, employment hubs, and social infrastructure. Otherwise, you create isolated developments that do not solve the problem.”

Transportation is also critical to his agenda. Lagos, he noted, suffers inefficiencies from congestion and inadequate mass transit systems. “People spend hours commuting. Businesses lose time and money. The city’s productivity suffers.” His solution is a coordinated, multi-modal system combining buses, rail, and water transport. For Eti-Osa, he highlighted the untapped waterways. “Water transport is underutilised. With right investment, ferries can reduce pressure on roads and improve mobility.”

Beyond state-level concerns, Adio turns his attention to the national economy, where rising energy costs—driven partly by global geopolitical tensions—are exerting pressure on households and businesses. “It is a very serious situation with immediate consequences for ordinary Nigerians,” he says. “Energy costs affect transportation, food production, manufacturing, and services.”

The ripple effects are already evident: increased transport fares, rising food prices, and higher operating costs for businesses. Left unchecked, he warns, these trends could trigger broader economic instability. “This is not just an energy issue—it is an economic stability issue.” Adio’s proposed response—capping petrol prices at ₦1,000 per litre—has generated debate, particularly among those who argue that price controls distort market dynamics. However, he frames the proposal as a temporary intervention tailored to exceptional circumstances. “In normal situations, markets should determine prices. But these are not normal times. We are dealing with external shocks driven by geopolitical tensions.”

He points to Nigeria’s position as an oil-producing country, which benefits from higher global prices through increased government revenues. “In such a scenario, it is reasonable to use part of that windfall to stabilise domestic prices. This is not about permanent price control; it is about temporary economic protection.” For him, the alternative—allowing prices to rise unchecked—carries greater risks. “If fuel prices continue to rise, consumption will fall, businesses will struggle, and unemployment will increase. By stabilising prices, we keep the economy moving and protect jobs.”

On fiscal sustainability, he acknowledges the concerns but insists that the policy can be managed responsibly if tied directly to windfall revenues rather than borrowing. “It is about reallocating unexpected gains, not creating new deficits,” he explains. “And we must also consider the cost of inaction. If businesses collapse and unemployment rises, the economic and social consequences will be far more severe.”

Adio’s concerns extend beyond economics to the broader political environment, where he sees emerging risks to democratic integrity. “What we are seeing is a troubling pattern that raises concerns about the health of our democracy,” he says. He points to what he describes as increasing pressure on opposition parties, warning that such developments undermine the principles of political competition. “Democracy is built on competition. When that competition is restricted, the legitimacy of the entire system is called into question.”

While careful not to make categorical accusations, he emphasises that any action—direct or indirect—that limits the ability of opposition parties to participate freely in elections is problematic. “If a government is confident in its performance, it should have no fear of open and fair elections,” he argues.

The role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is, in his view, central to preserving electoral credibility. “INEC must remain firmly independent. The Chairman carries a heavy responsibility to ensure that the commission operates strictly within the law and is not influenced by any political actor.” Public confidence in the electoral process, he adds, depends on this perceived neutrality. “Once people begin to doubt the neutrality of INEC, the consequences can be far-reaching.”

On the legal dimension, Adio references provisions of the Electoral Act and judicial precedents to argue that intra-party matters should remain outside the scope of external interference. “The legal position is clear. Intra-party affairs—such as leadership and membership—are generally non-justiciable. These are internal matters for political parties to resolve.”

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Respecting this principle, he says, is essential for maintaining political pluralism and protecting the autonomy of political organisations. The broader implications of failing to uphold democratic norms are, in his assessment, significant. “If opposition parties are weakened or excluded, it undermines electoral credibility. If elections lose credibility, public trust erodes. And when trust erodes, democratic stability is put at risk.”

He frames the issue not as a partisan concern, but as a systemic one with long-term consequences. “This is not about one party or one election. It is about the future of our democratic system.” Ultimately, Adio argues that democracy must provide citizens with real choices. “We are a democracy, not a monarchy. Leaders should be elected, not coronated. Citizens must have credible alternatives.”

In closing, Adio returns to his core message—one that links governance, economic policy, and democratic integrity under a broader vision of accountable leadership. “For Eti-Osa Constituency II, the agenda is clear: efficient public spending, expanded public housing, and modern mass transportation,” he says. “At the national level, we must pursue policies that protect citizens from economic shocks while strengthening democratic institutions.”

Nigeria’s potential, he concludes, is not in doubt. The challenge lies in translating that potential into measurable outcomes. “That requires leadership that is focused, accountable, and committed to the public good. That is the difference I am offering.”