The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to account for his electricity campaign promises, insisting that Nigerians deserve improved power supply and affordable energy.
Titiansloaded reports that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, made the call on Tuesday during an appearance on Arise News’ Daybreak programme, where he discussed the administration’s performance and the ADC’s proposed approach to the power sector.
Although Abdullahi admitted that he was not particularly conversant with the technical aspects of electricity generation and distribution, he said the broader issue of government accountability remained clear.
“This is not an area that I’m particularly familiar with,” he said, adding that he could speak on the policy direction.
He argued that Tinubu should be assessed against his 2023 campaign pledge to improve electricity supply and eliminate estimated billing.
“Democracy is about accountability,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC spokesman alleged that power supply had worsened under the current administration, leaving households and businesses struggling with unreliable electricity, high bills and growing dependence on alternative energy sources.
He also recalled Tinubu’s campaign warning that Nigerians should not vote for him again if he failed to deliver on electricity, saying the President should explain his performance to the electorate.
The comments followed a defence of Tinubu’s pledge by the spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Alake.
Alake had argued that the President’s statement should be interpreted in full, including the qualification that voters should deny him another term if he failed to deliver without providing sufficient reasons.
He also pointed to the Electricity Act 2023 and the Presidential Metering Initiative as part of the administration’s efforts to address power-sector challenges.
Abdullahi, however, maintained that Nigerians needed tangible improvements in electricity supply and affordability.
On the ADC’s proposed approach, he urged state governments to use the Electricity Act 2023 to establish and expand electricity generation and distribution systems within their territories.
He further called on states to channel some of the additional revenue received after the removal of fuel subsidy into power infrastructure, arguing that electricity projects should take precedence over what he described as unnecessary spending.
Abdullahi said affordability would be central to the ADC’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that electricity, fuel and other basic necessities should be accessible to Nigerians.
He added that rising energy costs had placed significant pressure on small businesses, particularly those relying on petrol and diesel generators, undermining their productivity.
The ADC spokesman said the 2027 elections would give Nigerians an opportunity to judge the APC’s performance based on economic conditions and the rising cost of living.
