Housing reform and cost-of-living relief will top the legislative agenda of Ayodele  Adio as he prepares to contest for a seat in the Lagos State House of Assembly, the aspirant has said.

Speaking on his vision for Lagos, Adio described the state as being in the middle of a “rent crisis,” with many working residents spending between 60 and 70 percent of their income on rent and transportation.

“When people are expending almost all their earnings just to keep a roof over their heads and get to work, something is broken,” he said, arguing that the situation is squeezing disposable income and weakening the broader economy.

Citing inflation figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics, Adio proposed that rent increases should be tied strictly to official inflation rates. Under his proposal, if inflation stood at 10 percent in the preceding year, landlords would only be permitted to increase rents within that range, with a modest location-based variation.

He also pledged to sponsor legislation that would cap agency and legal fees at five percent, mandate a minimum 12-month notice before any rent increase takes effect, and restrict rent hikes to once every three years. In addition, he called for stronger regulation of short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, arguing that the rapid growth of short-term rentals has reduced the stock of long-term residential housing in Lagos.

“These are short-term stabilizers,” Adio explained. “The real problem is supply.”

According to him, the state must take a more active role in housing development rather than leaving construction solely to the private sector. He advocated for the facilitation or construction of at least 20,000 housing units annually over the next decade to gradually ease pressure on the market.

“Land costs are high, building materials are expensive, and the cost of capital is rising. If only the private sector builds, prices will continue to climb,” he said. “Government must intervene massively.”

Adio also called for reforms to strengthen the state’s mortgage system to enable working-class residents access long-term financing at affordable rates.

Beyond housing, the aspirant criticized what he described as misplaced budgetary priorities. He questioned allocations for official housing and vehicle purchases for public office holders, arguing that such funds could be redirected into public housing, transportation, healthcare, and education.

Drawing comparisons with the United Kingdom, where official residences are limited to key offices such as 10 Downing Street, he said Lagos should reconsider spending scarce public funds on privileges for a few.

Adio further pledged to push for greater transparency in budget processes and public spending if elected. “People must know where their money is going,” he said, adding that public accountability would be central to his legislative focus.

He also criticized the governance record of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos over the past two decades, arguing that policy decisions have largely favored elite interests over working-class residents.

According to him, reducing rent burdens, improving public transportation, and strengthening public education and healthcare systems would free up income for households, stimulate local businesses, and promote economic growth.

“We need policies that keep money in the pockets of working people,” he said. “When they have room to breathe, the entire economy benefits.”

Adio said his ambition is to serve as a voice for ordinary Lagosians in the House of Assembly, focusing on practical reforms rather than “grand promises.”