The vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Rotimi Amaechi, says the ADC-led federal government will lower the cost of living and reverse the current fuel subsidy if elected into office in 2027.

Mr Amaechi made the promise at the ADC town hall meeting held on Thursday in Benin. He said the party’s proposed policy would support domestic fuel production and reduce petrol costs to lower transportation expenses and ease pressure on Nigerians.

Mr Amaechi said lower transportation costs would also help reduce prices of goods and services, thereby easing the economic burden on households.

He said poverty would not disappear overnight but would gradually reduce through policies designed to improve the economy and create opportunities for Nigerians.

The ADC vice-presidential candidate also promised that an ADC government would expand access to education by providing more schools. He said the party would pursue electoral reforms to strengthen the electoral process and restore confidence in elections.

Mr Amaechi assured Edo residents that an ADC government would allow them to freely choose their governor rather than have someone imposed on them. He urged voters to recognise their roles in determining the country’s direction in 2027 through active participation in the electoral process.

Mr Amaechi said voters should not stay away from the polls after voting, emphasising that the responsibility for making the desired change was in their hands.

On infrastructure, he expressed concern over the condition of major roads linking Edo to other parts of the country, including the Lagos-Benin, Abuja-Benin and East-Benin routes. He said improving the roads would facilitate the movement of people and goods while supporting economic activities across the country.

Responding to a question on the proposed Gelegele seaport, Mr Amaechi said the project had earlier been brought to his attention when he served as Minister of Transportation.

He said the project would face a major challenge because of the water depth at Gelegele, which he put at about seven metres.

Mr Amaechi said a depth of about 18 metres would be required to accommodate the vessels envisaged for the project, making the location unsuitable for the proposed seaport.

John Odigie-Oyegun, national leader of the ADC and former governor of Edo, said the 2027 elections offered Nigerians an opportunity to reflect on previous political choices.

Mr Odigie-Oyegun, who chairs the ADC Policy and Manifesto Committee, said political choices made in 2015, 2019 and 2023 led to the conditions Nigerians are now experiencing.

He urged Nigerians to approach the next general elections with greater awareness and understanding of the qualities required in national leadership.

(NAN)