Tinubu must account for electricity promise – ADC

By Sherifat Kazeem

The National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to account for his electricity promises, while acknowledging limited familiarity with the technical issues involved in fixing the sector.

Abdullahi made the remarks on Arise News’ Daybreak programme on Tuesday when asked about the administration’s performance and the ADC’s proposals for improving electricity generation and distribution.

“This is not an area that I’m particularly familiar with,” he said, explaining that he could offer an opinion on the broader policy direction.

The ADC spokesman nevertheless maintained that Tinubu should be held to his 2023 campaign commitment to improve electricity supply and end estimated billing.

“Democracy is about accountability,” Abdullahi said.

He alleged that electricity supply had deteriorated under the administration, with households and businesses facing unreliable service, high bills and increasing expenditure on alternative energy.

Abdullahi recalled Tinubu’s campaign declaration that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to deliver on electricity, arguing that the government owed citizens an explanation for its performance.

His remarks followed the APC Presidential Campaign Council’s defence of the President’s pledge.

The council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, had argued that the statement should be considered in its entirety, including the qualification that Nigerians should withhold their votes if Tinubu failed to deliver unless he provided adequate reasons.

Alake also cited the Electricity Act 2023 and the Presidential Metering Initiative among the administration’s interventions in the sector.

Abdullahi, however, insisted that Nigerians deserved measurable improvements in supply and affordability.

On policy, he urged state governments to take advantage of the Electricity Act 2023 to develop electricity generation and distribution systems within their jurisdictions.

He also called for greater investment in power infrastructure from the increased revenues accruing to states following fuel subsidy removal.

Such expenditure, he argued, should take priority over projects he considered unnecessary.

Abdullahi said affordability would underpin the ADC’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 election, stressing that electricity, fuel and other essential commodities must be within Nigerians’ reach.

He maintained that rising energy costs had weakened small businesses, particularly those dependent on petrol and diesel generators, and reduced productivity.

The ADC spokesman said voters would have an opportunity in 2027 to assess whether the APC deserved another term based on its economic record and the cost of living.