Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the APC Presidential Campaign Council of trying to downplay President Bola Tinubu's failure to deliver on his electricity promises. In a statement, Atiku said that despite Tinubu's 2022 campaign promise to provide constant electricity for four years, Nigerians are still struggling with power outages. Atiku's statement was issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.
Atiku pointed out that after three and a half years, families are still finding it difficult to keep their homes lit, while traders and small business owners are spending scarce resources on alternative power. He noted that Nigerians are being billed for electricity they cannot rely on, and that President Tinubu's promise to end estimated billing has not been kept. Atiku also criticized the current band system, which charges consumers different rates based on their location and electricity provider.
The current band system has different rates for Bands A, B, C, D, and E, with Band A customers paying about ₦209.50 per unit before VAT. Atiku argued that despite the different rates, the same hardship endures across every band: the power fails, but the bill arrives. He emphasized that no family should have to choose between paying for electricity and paying for food, and that no business should be left to pay more while receiving less.
Atiku also criticized the government's plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, saying that Nigerians deserve a clear answer on what will happen to their bills when the subsidy ends. He promised to work with state governments and regulators to abolish the present band system and replace it with a fair, transparent, and affordable framework that protects households and holds power companies accountable for the electricity they deliver.
Atiku also responded to Dele Alake's statement, saying that it cannot light a home, and that signing a law, raising a bond, or approving a project is not the same as delivering electricity. He emphasized that Nigerians cannot cook, study, work, or sustain a business on announcements, and that President Tinubu invited Nigerians to judge him by his performance.
Atiku's statement comes as Nigerians face additional charges, including VAT on electricity and a 5 per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels. The government says the surcharge has not been activated and would require a ministerial order. Atiku's criticism of President Tinubu's electricity performance is a significant development in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
President Tinubu's administration has not built a single new generation infrastructure to increase Nigeria's power capacity, despite floating a multitrillion naira bond programme to settle legacy debts owed to generation companies. Atiku argued that paying old debts is not the same as building new power infrastructure, and that bonds cannot be presented as a substitute for power in people's homes.
Key points
- Atiku Abubakar criticizes President Tinubu's failure to deliver on his electricity promises.
- Atiku promises to work with state governments and regulators to create a fair and transparent electricity framework.
- Nigerians face additional charges, including VAT on electricity and a 5 per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels.
