Senator Adams Oshiomhole has urged Nigerians to critically question political leaders and presidential aspirants on their economic policies ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly on issues relating to taxation, fuel subsidy removal, and foreign exchange reforms.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, made the remarks during a public programme captured in a video report shared by AIT News on Wednesday, May 13, 2026.
Speaking during the event, the former Edo State governor said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had introduced a national conversation around taxation and public service delivery, adding that such discussions should become central issues during election campaigns.
“The important thing for me is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has brought to the table a renewed awareness that taxes are necessary, they are a precondition for service to people. I want this to be popularized so that it is at the core of national debate when we are electing people,” he said.
The senator urged Nigerians to challenge opposition figures and presidential aspirants to clearly state their economic alternatives rather than merely criticizing existing government policies. “For example, some people who are contesting now, I would like to ask are you going to return the subsidy? Because President Tinubu was wrong to remove it? If so, there is something for debate,” he stated.
Oshiomhole also referenced the foreign exchange system and questioned whether critics of the administration intended to return to previous exchange rate policies: “Are you going to restore dual estate rate so that if you don’t report to CBN, you can get official rate? If I don’t know because of my height, I have to pay parallel market rate. Do you want to return it?”
The senator further spoke about government interventions targeted at supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, particularly in tertiary institutions. “Are you going to abolish the taxes appropriated to provide some rebate or grant to the children of the poor in our universities so that brains are not underdeveloped on account of economic circumstances of payment?” he said.
Oshiomhole maintained that political debates ahead of the next election should focus on policy alternatives and governance priorities rather than personalities alone: “Is that what you are going to do differently? If you are not going to do this, tell us what you will do differently to justify why we should change the Chief of State. For me, this is what integration will be about….See More
