Lagos, Nigeria July 20, 2025
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of failing to deliver on a key 2023 campaign promise to provide uninterrupted electricity to Nigerians within four years. As the nation marks two years since Tinubu’s inauguration, the opposition party highlighted persistent power outages, soaring tariffs, and a crumbling grid, reigniting public frustration over one of Nigeria’s most pressing challenges.
In a statement released earlier today, ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi recirculated a campaign video of Tinubu vowing to resolve the power crisis, where the president urged Nigerians not to re-elect him if he failed. “Nigerians, today, we just want to take some time to remind President Tinubu that he promised us 24/7 power. All by himself. Yet today, the facts speak louder than his penchant for broken promises,” Abdullahi said. He cited alarming statistics: a 240% increase in electricity tariffs since Tinubu took office, 12 national grid collapses, and over 90 million Nigerians still without reliable power, with many urban residents receiving only four to six hours daily under the controversial Band A–E system.
Persistent Power Failures Amidst Rising Costs
The ADC’s criticism comes amid reports of worsening energy poverty, particularly in rural areas where 50 million families remain off the grid entirely. “In 26 months, there have been no major power sector reforms, no clear roadmap, and no sense of urgency,” Abdullahi lamented, calling on the president to account for his administration’s inaction. The party hinted at political repercussions, stating, “Well, Nigerians are listening. And come 2027, we intend to grant your wish.”
This rebuke contrasts with recent claims from presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, who on Saturday praised a steady power supply in his Lekki-Ajah residence, attributing it to a new 63 MVA mobile substation installed at the Ajah Transmission Station. “The roar of our generator is now a thing of the past,” Onanuga wrote, commending the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) and Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.” However, the ADC and many Nigerians argue that such improvements are isolated, with the broader power sector still plagued by inefficiencies and regional disparities. A 2024 Reuters report estimated Nigeria’s aging grid costs the economy $29 billion annually, a figure underscored by a 2025 World Bank study noting that only 40% of the population enjoys stable electricity access.
A Brewing Political Storm Ahead of 2027
The ADC’s attack is part of a broader political realignment, following the party’s July 2025 merger with opposition heavyweights Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), respectively. This coalition, bolstered by figures like former Senate President David Mark and ex-Tinubu ally Nasir El-Rufai, aims to unify the opposition for the 2027 elections. Analysts suggest the move capitalizes on public discontent, especially after Tinubu’s 2023 victory with just 37% of the vote, as reported by the BBC, due to a split opposition.
Energy experts remain skeptical of quick fixes. The 2023 Electricity Act and recent tariff adjustments—raising rates from N66/kWh to N225/kWh for Band A users with a promised 20-hour supply—have sparked debate. While the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) praised these reforms in a July 19 report for boosting sector viability, critics argue they burden citizens without delivering results. Rural electrification efforts, including 23 solar mini-grids planned with the Rural Electrification Agency, are seen as steps forward but insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis.
The Human Cost of Darkness
As Nigerians grapple with charging phones at kiosks and fueling generators at exorbitant costs, the ADC’s challenge to Tinubu’s leadership resonates widely. With 2027 on the horizon, the power crisis may prove a defining battleground in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
