Atiku Slams Tinubu over power crisis, says Nigerians need electricity, not excuses

The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the worsening electricity crisis in Nigeria, accusing his administration of offering excuses instead of addressing persistent power outages.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Senior Media Aide, Phrank Shuaibu, Atiku said the government’s explanations for the country’s poor electricity supply could not provide light for Nigerians, as millions of households and businesses continued to grapple with darkness.

He accused the Tinubu administration of resorting to propaganda and excuses instead of implementing meaningful reforms to address the crisis, despite rising electricity tariffs.

“Tinubu’s electricity excuses cannot light a single home. Nigerians need light, not excuses,” Atiku said.

The former Vice President expressed concern over the different electricity tariff bands, noting that consumers across Bands A, B, C, D and E were paying varying rates without corresponding improvements in power supply.

He said Band A customers in many areas paid about N209.50 per kilowatt-hour before value-added tax (VAT), while rates for other bands varied depending on the state and electricity distribution company.

According to him, the prevailing situation has left consumers struggling with high electricity bills despite unreliable supply.

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“Yet across every band, the same hardship endures: the power fails, but the bill arrives. No family should have to weigh the cost of electricity against the cost of food. No business should be left to pay more while receiving less,” he said.

Atiku also questioned the Federal Government’s reported plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, despite assurances that there would be no immediate tariff increase.

He demanded clarification from the administration on the implications of the planned subsidy removal for electricity consumers.

“The government now says it plans to end electricity subsidies from 2027, even as it insists there will be no immediate tariff increase. Nigerians are entitled to a clear answer: what will happen to their bills when the subsidy ends?” he queried.

The ADC presidential candidate called on the Tinubu administration to stop politicising the electricity crisis and prioritise the delivery of stable and affordable power to Nigerians.

He maintained that households and businesses deserved reliable electricity rather than continued explanations for the persistent failures in the power sector.