By Hassan Hussain
A Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator Dino Melaye, says the party will prioritise measures aimed at reducing the cost of living and making essential goods and services more affordable if elected into power.
Melaye stated this while speaking on AIT’s Democracy Today Xtra, where he discussed the party’s policy direction, the economy, election campaigns and political violence.
He said the rising cost of petroleum products has affected transportation, the movement of goods, aviation and prices of commodities.
Melaye said the ADC’s principal objective is to make Nigeria affordable again, irrespective of political affiliation.
“The ADC is coming to make Nigeria once again affordable. That is our principal objective. We want to make Nigeria affordable again.”
The ADC chieftain said the party would pursue measures to reduce the cost of petroleum products, which he argued would help bring down transportation costs and ease pressure on prices of goods and services.
He specifically expressed support for the restoration of fuel subsidy, saying the focus should be on addressing corruption and abuse associated with the previous regime rather than completely abandoning intervention in fuel pricing.
“We are bringing back subsidy one hundred per cent.”
Melaye also described the prevailing cost-of-living situation as difficult for many Nigerians, saying families are struggling to meet basic needs, including food and transportation.
He said the ADC would prioritise affordability, food security and measures to address insecurity as part of its proposed policy direction.
On political violence, the ADC chieftain called for a free and peaceful campaign environment, saying political parties should be allowed to canvass for votes without intimidation.
He stressed the need for votes to count, while allegations concerning responsibility for specific incidents of political violence during the programme were disputed by an APC representative.
Melaye currently serves as Contact and Mobilisation Lead in Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential campaign structure.
