Nigeria: 2027 Politics Watch - Sunday's Roundup - Atiku Challenges Tinubu On Power As Kwankwaso Tells Him to Stand Down

What the report says

Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress’ presidential candidate, pushed back on the All Progressives Congress’ defence of President Bola Tinubu’s electricity record, using a Sunday statement to argue that Nigeria’s power problems remain unresolved. According to the Premium Times report carried by AllAfrica, Atiku criticized the current tariff-band system and suggested replacing it with a pricing model more closely tied to the amount of electricity actually supplied. His comments came after the APC cited the Electricity Act 2023, metering efforts, transmission upgrades, state-level reforms and a proposed ₦4 trillion bond to settle legacy debts as proof of progress on the sector.

Atiku’s camp, through spokesperson Phrank Shaibu, said Nigerians still face poor supply and estimated billing despite those measures. The article noted that Atiku also questioned the government’s reported plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027 and the possible effect on household bills. The report said his alternative proposal would require cooperation with state governments and regulators, but that no detailed tariff formula or costings had been provided.

The roundup also highlighted internal opposition politics. Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate, was reported to have urged Atiku to step aside and back Peter Obi, arguing that southern Nigeria should complete its turn in the country’s informal zoning arrangement. The piece said this reflects continuing tensions over regional balancing in Nigerian politics, even though the principle is political rather than constitutional.

Separately, the report described complaints within the ADC in the South-west over campaign organization ahead of the party’s planned launch in Sokoto on 4 November, underscoring broader coordination challenges around Atiku’s campaign.