Nigeria: Atiku Tackles APC Over Tinubu's Power Pledge, Says Bonds Can't Light Homes

What the report says

Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress campaign team over its defence of President Bola Tinubu’s electricity pledge, arguing that policy statements and financing measures do not amount to actual power supply. The remarks, carried by Vanguard and distributed by AllAfrica, were reported from Abuja and came in response to comments from APC campaign spokesman Dele Alake.

Atiku, speaking through a statement issued by the African Democratic Congress presidential campaign council’s communications director, said households and businesses were still dealing with unreliable electricity, higher tariffs and expensive backup power. He said the administration had not delivered the steady supply and end to estimated billing that Tinubu promised during the 2023 election campaign.

He also questioned the electricity band tariff system, saying consumers in different categories were paying more without seeing meaningful improvements in service. Atiku further raised concerns about the government’s plan to end subsidies from 2027, the use of bonds to settle debts owed to power companies, and the possibility of new taxes or surcharges on energy products. He argued that debt payments, laws and project announcements should not be presented as substitutes for new generation capacity or reliable electricity.

The exchange reflects the continuing political debate over Nigeria’s power sector reforms, including the Electricity Act 2023, metering efforts, transmission upgrades and state-level electricity initiatives cited by the government.