WARRI/Nigeria: African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Delta South, Dr. Austin Orette, has called for policies that increase household incomes, create jobs and expand economic activity, arguing that additional financial burdens on citizens could worsen hardship without corresponding improvements in productivity and public services.
Orette made the submission on Sunday in Warri while addressing party supporters on government policies, economic conditions and his legislative agenda for Delta South.
The family medicine physician said economic reforms should be assessed not only by revenue generated by government but also by their effect on households and businesses already dealing with rising food, transportation, energy, education and healthcare costs.
He argued that government should broaden the productive base of the economy rather than depend primarily on increased taxes, levies and charges to raise revenue.
“When households are already struggling with high food prices, transportation costs, energy costs, school fees and medical expenses, imposing additional burdens without corresponding improvements in income, productivity and public services can deepen economic hardship,” Orette said.
According to him, the central question for policymakers should be how much additional financial pressure citizens and businesses can realistically absorb while the economy is under strain.
He advocated greater emphasis on employment creation, enterprise development and productivity as a way of expanding the tax base over time.
“A government should not simply ask: ‘How much more can we collect?’ It should also ask: How much more can Nigerians realistically carry?” he said.
Orette described his preferred approach as a shift from economic coercion to consultation and from policy imposition to engagement, saying the consequences of major economic decisions should be measured against their impact on ordinary citizens.
He also drew attention to healthcare financing, arguing that the cost of accessing medical treatment remains a major source of financial pressure for Nigerian families.
The candidate said his proposed legislative agenda would focus on healthcare, accountability, economic opportunity, human development and representation, adding that the Senate should be used to scrutinise policies and advocate measures that improve citizens’ welfare.
He said his aspiration to represent Delta South was not limited to occupying a seat in the National Assembly but involved bringing the experiences of communities in the district into national policy discussions.
“The deeper question is: ‘Who understands what is happening to our people, and what will that person do with the legislative power of the Senate?’” Orette said.
He said issues concerning healthcare, energy, infrastructure, economic opportunity and national development would require sustained legislative attention.
Orette also called for issue-based political campaigns, saying Nigerians should be able to evaluate candidates through their ideas, policies and proposed solutions rather than personalities and political patronage.
“Nigeria does not lack intelligent people. Nigeria does not lack resources. Nigeria does not lack ideas. What we must strengthen is leadership that converts knowledge into action and public office into measurable service,” he said.
On his legislative ambition, Orette said the 2027 election should provide an opportunity for voters in Delta South to examine what they expect from their representative at the National Assembly.
He said his focus would include legislative scrutiny of economic reforms, protection of vulnerable citizens from the immediate effects of policy changes, healthcare reform and stronger representation of the district in national decision-making.
“I seek the mandate of our people not simply to occupy a political office, but to represent, question, legislate and advocate. The people of Delta South deserve more than promises,” he said.
Orette’s campaign platform currently identifies him as an ADC candidate for the Delta South Senate seat in the 2027 National Assembly election, with healthcare, economic empowerment, education and governance reform among the issues highlighted by his campaign.
