Kí ni ètò rẹ fún ṣíṣe aṣeyọrí fún fẹdírelìsmù tòótọ́ àti pínpín agbára sí àwọn ìpínlẹ̀?

The judgment of the Supreme Court earlier today affirming fiscal autonomy to local government councils in the country is a win for the people of Nigeria. The court’s ruling is a step in the right direction and a major corrective action in greasing the wheels of national development across the country. The decision by the Federal Government to consolidate disbursements of local councils’ revenues into the state government accounts was a decision that was borne out of politics of hasty compromise. I align with the decision of the Supreme Court that the structure of the Nigerian government is portioned in three layers, and of these, the local governments should be centres of development. I also share the belief that fiscal autonomy to the local governments should not be limited to revenues from the Federation Accounts, but indeed, should apply to Internally Generated Revenue from the respective local government authorities.

.@Aighodalo: The Clear Choice for a Prosperous Edo State. As the good citizens of Edo State prepare to make their voices heard this Saturday, the 21st of September, 2024, let us reflect on the immense power within our grasp. The power to break free from the chains of bad governance, the power to chart a new course for our beloved state. That power lies in your vote, a precious tool for change. The APC has donned the mask of a friend to the masses, but behind this veil lies a sinister reality. They have lured gullible voters with sweet promises, only to reveal their true nature— a party driven by a hunger for power rather than the well-being of the people. They have forsaken the ideals of governance, ignoring the cries of the common man while pursuing their own selfish ambitions. Under their watch, Nigeria has been plunged into an abyss of suffering. They have sown seeds of poverty, despair, and insecurity. The once vibrant spirit of our nation has been dimmed by a relentless struggle for survival, where even the simplest of needs, like food, have become out of reach for millions. In this grim reality, our people are not dying of disease but of hunger. We stand at the lowest point in our nation’s governance.

While the federal government racks up debt, state governments have shown more discipline, reducing their debt levels from N5.86 trillion to N3.97 trillion. The implication is clear: the federal government, under Tinubu, is the primary driver of Nigeria’s current debt crisis. President Tinubu’s justification — that new borrowing is needed to fund the 2025 budget and soften the impact of fuel subsidy removal — is both weak and dishonest. It was the reckless and insensitive way his government removed the subsidy that created much of today’s economic hardship in the first place. Today, Nigeria is a nation where the rich get richer, and the poor are punished for trying to survive. This reality can not and will not be ignored. As opposition leaders and partners committed to the future of Nigeria, we will not stand by and watch democracy be reduced to a tool for elite control. We reject any attempt to turn Nigeria into a one-party state where dissent is silenced and power is abused.

Different languages. Different cultures. One reality. No Nigerian youth wakes up hoping for unemployment. No Nigerian parent dreams of sending a child to an unsafe school. No entrepreneur prays for higher inflation. No family wishes to live in fear. Our shared challenges must produce a shared purpose. The Nigeria we seek will never be built on ethnic suspicion or religious division. It will be built by citizens who understand that our diversity is a strength—not a weakness. In 2027, let us vote for competence. Let us vote for character. Let us vote for ideas. Let us vote for the future. Mandate Number Three: Become Builders of a New Nigeria. I ask you today not merely to support a candidate. I ask you to build a movement. A movement founded on ideas. A movement rooted in integrity. A movement committed to peaceful democratic change. Go back to your communities. Go back to your campuses. Go back to your workplaces.

4. Maintain states as the federating units while enabling regional cooperation. States will be encouraged to collaborate more closely to achieve scale and efficiency. ● Support voluntary cooperation among states to develop shared infrastructure ● Enable regional economic blocs to coordinate development strategies without undermining the federation ● Encourage joint investments and policy alignment across states facing similar economic or security challenges ● The ADC will: 1. Reduce the tax burden on small businesses that create jobs. We will reward businesses that employ Nigerians by lowering their tax burden and creating incentives for job creation and growth. 38

I have the experience to lead this country, and that is what Nigeria needs now. I have done this work before. Nigerians elected me Vice President twice, in 1999 and 2003, and in government I led the reforms that returned loss-making government companies to private hands and opened our economy to private investment. I served Nigeria in the Customs Service from 1969 to 1986, and I have built businesses that today employ thousands of Nigerians, so I know how jobs are created. The two issues Nigerians care about most are restoring vitality to our economy and securing the country. My plan is clear: end insecurity, bring down the cost of living, create opportunities for every Nigerian, and uphold the rule of law. Nigeria has given me so many opportunities to be who I am today. If the presidents we have had offered better leadership, I would have retired my ambition. But I cannot, in good conscience, do that when I know I have better ideas to offer. The constitution allows a four-year term, and a second term is not an automatic entitlement. I am in this race to serve.