The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the worsening electricity situation in the country, saying Nigerians need reliable power rather than explanations.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Media Aide, Phrank Shuaibu, on Sunday, said the administration’s explanations for the persistent power crisis could not provide electricity to Nigerians.
He said Nigerians were tired of what he described as excuses and propaganda from the government, while millions of households and businesses continued to grapple with inadequate power supply. 
According to him, the government has failed to adequately address the power sector despite increasing electricity tariffs paid by consumers.
“Tinubu’s electricity excuses cannot light a single home. Nigerians need light, not excuses,” Atiku said.
He noted that electricity consumers across the country were classified into Bands A, B, C, D and E and charged different tariffs, with Band A customers in many areas paying about N209.50 per kilowatt-hour before value-added tax.
Atiku said tariffs for other bands varied depending on the state and electricity distribution company, but argued that consumers across the different categories continued to experience poor service.
“Across every band, the same hardship endures: the power fails, but the bill arrives. No family should have to weigh the cost of electricity against the cost of food. No business should be left to pay more while receiving less,” he said.
The former vice-president also criticised the Federal Government’s plan to end electricity subsidies from 2027, even as it maintains that there will be no immediate increase in tariffs.
He demanded clarification on how the planned removal of the subsidy would affect electricity bills.
“The government now says it plans to end electricity subsidies from 2027, even as it insists there will be no immediate tariff increase. Nigerians are entitled to a clear answer: what will happen to their bills when the subsidy ends?” Atiku queried.
