Bonds can’t light homes, Atiku tells Tinubu over power failure

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over persistent electricity shortages, insisting that government bonds, new laws and project announcements cannot replace reliable power supply to Nigerian homes and businesses.

Atiku, in a statement issued on Sunday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, also challenged the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council to explain why Nigerians were still struggling with erratic electricity despite the government’s promised reforms.

He argued that households and businesses continued to face high electricity tariffs, frequent power interruptions and the rising cost of alternative energy, three and a half years after Tinubu promised steady electricity and an end to estimated billing.

“The APC should spare Nigerians the spectacle of celebrating paperwork while homes and businesses remain in darkness,” Atiku said.

“President Tinubu promised steady power and an end to estimated billing. That promise has not been kept.”

The former vice-president also questioned the electricity tariff band system, arguing that consumers were paying different rates without receiving corresponding improvements in supply.

He cited Band A tariffs of about ₦209.50 per kilowatt-hour in many areas, before value-added tax, as an example of the financial pressure on consumers.

“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 further demanded clarification on the Federal Government’s plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, asking how the proposed policy would affect household and business bills.

He proposed that the Federal Government work with state governments and regulators to scrap the existing tariff band system and introduce what he described as a fairer and more affordable arrangement that would make electricity companies accountable for the power they supply.

The former vice-president also faulted the administration’s proposed ₦4 trillion bond programme to settle verified legacy debts owed to electricity generation and gas companies.

He argued that settling outstanding debts should not be presented as an expansion of the country’s electricity generation capacity.

“Paying old debts is not the same as building new power infrastructure. Bonds cannot be presented as a substitute for power in people’s homes,” he said.

Atiku also raised concerns about VAT on electricity and the proposed five per cent surcharge on certain fossil fuels, including petrol and diesel, under the Nigeria Tax Act.

He said Nigerians already struggling with energy costs needed clarity on the possible additional financial burden.

His comments followed a defence of the administration’s power sector reforms by APC Presidential Campaign Council spokesman, Dele Alake.

Alake had cited the Electricity Act 2023, the ₦4 trillion bond programme, metering initiatives, transmission projects and state electricity reforms as evidence of the government’s efforts to improve the sector.

But Atiku insisted that policy announcements and financial commitments should not be confused with actual improvements in electricity supply.

“Dele Alake’s statement cannot light a home. Signing a law is not electricity. Raising a bond is not electricity. Approving a project is not power delivered,” he said.

He also recalled Tinubu’s campaign promise ahead of the 2023 presidential election that Nigerians should not re-elect him if he failed to provide constant electricity during his first four years in office.

“If I don’t give you constant electricity for four years, when I come back for a second term, don’t vote for me,” Tinubu had said.

Atiku argued that Nigerians had now spent much of the period covered by that promise and deserved answers from the President rather than further explanations from his campaign team.

“They do not need his campaign council to interpret his words for them. They need him to answer for them,” he added.

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