Tinubu failed Nigerians on constant power supply; I will ensure steady electricity if elected — Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council of attempting to divert attention from President Bola Tinubu’s alleged failure to fulfil his electricity promises by highlighting government policies, legislation and projects.

In a statement issued by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku said Nigerians were still struggling with unreliable electricity despite the promises made by Tinubu during the 2022 presidential campaign.

He argued that celebrating laws, committees, bonds and proposed projects would not address the challenges facing households and businesses that depend on electricity.

Atiku said consumers across the country continued to pay electricity bills despite unreliable supply, adding that businesses were spending scarce resources on alternative power sources to remain operational.

He also criticised the electricity tariff band system, noting that customers on different bands paid varying rates without necessarily receiving dependable power.

According to him, some Band A customers pay about ₦209.50 per kilowatt-hour before Value Added Tax (VAT), while charges for other bands vary depending on the state and electricity distribution company.

The former vice president questioned the Federal Government’s plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, saying Nigerians deserved clarification on how the policy would affect their bills.

He pledged that, if elected, he would work with state governments and regulators to replace the existing tariff band system with what he described as a fairer, transparent and affordable framework that would protect consumers and hold electricity providers accountable.

Atiku also recalled Tinubu’s campaign promise in 2022 to deliver constant electricity within four years, saying Nigerians should assess the President based on that commitment.

“When I come back for a second term, don’t vote for me,” Atiku quoted Tinubu as saying during the campaign, adding that the President should account for the promise rather than rely on his campaign council to explain it.

He further alleged that the Tinubu administration had not built any new power-generation infrastructure of its own to increase the country’s electricity capacity.

Atiku also questioned the administration’s multitrillion-naira bond programme aimed at settling legacy debts owed to electricity generation companies, arguing that paying outstanding debts was not the same as expanding generation capacity or improving electricity supply.

He maintained that financial interventions and government announcements should be measured by their impact on electricity delivery to homes and businesses.

The ADC chieftain also raised concerns about VAT on electricity and a provision in the Nigeria Tax Act for a five per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels, including petrol and diesel.

While acknowledging the government’s position that the surcharge had not been activated and would require a ministerial order, Atiku said Nigerians deserved to know why the additional charge had been provided for at a time of rising energy costs.

He dismissed the explanations offered by the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, and the APC campaign council, arguing that government announcements and legislative measures could not replace reliable electricity.

“Signing a law is not electricity. Raising a bond is not electricity. Approving a project is not power delivered,” he said.

Atiku maintained that Nigerians needed dependable and affordable electricity, insisting that the President should be judged by the extent to which his administration had fulfilled its campaign commitments.

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!