The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s electricity sector, referencing campaign promises made before the 2023 general elections regarding 24-hour electricity and an end to estimated billing.

In a statement released on Sunday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said that more than halfway into Tinubu’s administration, there has been little progress in meeting the commitments made to voters.

Abdullahi referenced a campaign video in which Tinubu had pledged to deliver round-the-clock power to Nigerians, promising to end the use of estimated billing and stating, “A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I come back for a second time, don’t vote for me.”

In the statement, the ADC said: “Good morning, Nigerians. Today, we just want to take some time to remind President Tinubu that he promised Nigerians uninterrupted electricity within four years. Yes, that’s right, Mr. President promised us 24/7 power. All by himself.”

According to the party, electricity tariffs have increased by 240% since Tinubu assumed office in May 2023

It also claimed that the national grid has experienced 12 system collapses during the same period, with no major policy overhaul or public communication of a recovery plan.

Abdullahi further noted that more than 90 million Nigerians remain without access to electricity, while many urban residents only receive between four and six hours of supply daily under the current Band A to E classification system.

“In rural communities, most of Nigeria’s 50 million families remain completely off the grid, with no access to electricity at all,” he said.

He criticised what he described as a lack of urgency on the part of the federal government.

“We are past the halfway mark of this administration, and millions of Nigerians are still charging their phones at mobile charging kiosks and spending hundreds of thousands to fuel their generators,” Abdullahi said.

He concluded by reiterating Tinubu’s campaign remarks: “Mr. President, you once said: ‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me.’ Well, Nigerians are listening. And come 2027, we intend to grant your wish.”

The Presidency has not yet issued a response to the ADC’s remarks. (The Guardian)