CNPP, Civil Society Groups Demand Resignation Of Minister Of Power - Politics
The
Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP, and the Coalition of
National Civil Society Organisations, CNCSOs, have jointly called for
the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adelabu
Adebayo, citing incompetence and failure to address the country’s
ongoing electricity crisis.
In a statement jointly
issued by James Ezema, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of CNPP, and
Alhaji Ali Abacha, National Secretary of CNCSOs, on Sunday, the
coalition criticized Minister Adelabu’s tenure, describing him as “a
round peg in a square hole.”
The groups argued that the
Minister lacks the capacity to effectively manage the power sector,
pointing to persistent electricity shortages that have plagued the
country for decades.
According to the coalition, over
40% of Nigerians remain without access to electricity, while those
connected to the national grid endure inconsistent power supply ranging
between 2,000MW and 4,000MW—figures that have stagnated since the 1980s.
The
statement further decried the economic repercussions of the power
crisis, including business closures, job losses, and hindered economic
growth.
The groups also faulted Minister Adelabu for not
leveraging the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which allows
decentralized electricity provision and public-private partnerships to
improve the sector.
“His inability to attract local and
international investment has worsened Nigeria’s electricity challenges
and undermined economic recovery,” the statement said.
The
call for his resignation follows a recent report by the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, which documented three total
grid collapses and two partial collapses in the last quarter of 2024.
Despite these failures, Nigerians,
according to the coalition, paid a record N509.84 billion to
electricity distribution companies in the same period, an increase from
the N466.69 billion spent in the previous quarter. In total, the country
experienced 12 grid collapses in 2024, further highlighting the depth
of the crisis.
The CNPP and CNCSOs, also urged President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy Minister Adelabu to a different ministry
within seven days, questioning his qualifications for the power sector.
They
noted that his background lies in finance, hospitality, entertainment,
agriculture, and real estate rather than energy management.
“His
appointment appears to be a case of political patronage rather than
merit, and his performance has validated our concerns,” the statement
read.
Beyond the power sector, the coalition expressed
broader dissatisfaction with the Tinubu administration’s economic
policies, arguing that they have led to increased hardship and
discontent among Nigerians.
While acknowledging the President’s
commitment to national development, the groups warned that incompetent
appointees threaten these efforts and erode public trust.
“The
power sector is too vital to Nigeria’s progress to be left in the hands
of individuals without the necessary expertise and vision. Minister
Adelabu must resign or be reassigned immediately to prevent further
damage to Nigeria’s economy and the well-being of its citizens,” the statement concluded.
The
coalition vowed to continue monitoring and evaluating government
ministries, departments, and agencies, ensuring that they serve the best
interests of the Nigerian people.
Source: https://dailypost.ng/CNPP-Civil-society-groups-demand-resignation-of-minister-of-power-over-electricity-crisis
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