PDP Reps candidate distributes free cooking gas to 600 Abeokuta South residents

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Abeokuta South Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Toyin Anthony Amuzu, on Tuesday distributed free 4kg cooking gas cylinders to 600 residents of the constituency as part of efforts to cushion the impact of the prevailing economic hardship.

The beneficiaries, drawn largely from the Ijeja area of Abeokuta, were predominantly women. The exercise, which began around 8 a.m. and lasted until about 3 p.m., formed part of a series of social intervention programmes being undertaken through the Toyin Amuzu Foundation.

Speaking during the distribution, Amuzu said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden on households that rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking, noting that rising living costs had made it increasingly difficult for many families to meet their daily needs.

He explained that the programme followed an earlier intervention in which his foundation distributed free fuel to commercial motorcycle operators and taxi drivers in Abeokuta South to help reduce transportation costs.

According to him, while the previous exercise targeted transport workers, the cooking gas distribution was aimed at supporting households, particularly women who shoulder much of the responsibility for meal preparation.

“We previously supported commercial motorcycle riders and taxi drivers with free fuel. This cooking gas programme is intended to assist households that depend on gas for cooking. We recognise that different groups have different needs and we will continue to design interventions that respond to those needs as resources permit,” he said.

Amuzu, however, maintained that humanitarian support alone could not solve Nigeria’s economic challenges, describing such interventions as temporary measures to provide relief while advocating long-term solutions through sound public policies.

He pledged that if elected into the House of Representatives in 2027, he would champion legislation aimed at strengthening social protection programmes, promoting economic empowerment and accelerating community development.

“Our philosophy is to help people acquire the means to earn a sustainable livelihood rather than depend indefinitely on relief materials. We want to teach people how to catch fish instead of merely giving them fish,” he added.

The PDP candidate also identified stable electricity supply as a critical driver of economic growth, saying improved power would reduce operating costs for small businesses, boost productivity and create employment opportunities.

He aligned the position with the development agenda of the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Chief Oladipupo Adebutu, whom he said is committed to improving electricity and critical infrastructure.

Although he currently holds no elective or appointive office, Amuzu said his foundation has implemented several community development projects, including the provision of boreholes, solar-powered streetlights, educational support, business empowerment initiatives and other welfare programmes.

Many beneficiaries described the free cooking gas distribution as timely, saying it would help reduce household expenses amid the current economic challenges.