APC Campaign Council defends Tinubu’s electricity promise, says scorecard will come before 2027

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has responded to critics of President Bola Tinubu's promise to end estimated electricity billing. They say this promise should be viewed alongside the administration's performance in the power sector and the conditions Tinubu placed on it before the 2023 presidential election.

Dele Alake, the spokesperson for the Council, made this known in a statement on Sunday. He addressed public backlash regarding the president's electricity pledge.

Alake pointed out that many comments about Tinubu's promise did not include his condition that he would explain to Nigerians if his administration did not keep the commitment before seeking re-election.

During a meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector in Lagos before the 2023 elections, Tinubu promised to tackle Nigeria’s electricity problems, especially estimated billing. He described it as a serious burden for families and businesses.

"Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept," he stated.

Tinubu also said that if he did not fulfill this promise, Nigerians should not vote for him again unless he gave good reasons for his failure.

Alake emphasized that a proper evaluation of the pledge should consider the complete statement made by Tinubu and the government's actions since he took office in May 2023.

He admitted that fixing Nigeria’s electricity issues is still a work in progress but insisted that Tinubu has been actively trying to meet his promise.

In defending the government's work, Alake highlighted the Electricity Act 2023, the Presidential Metering Initiative, efforts to clear outstanding debts in the power sector, and investments in transmission infrastructure as signs of progress.

He noted that Tinubu signed the Electricity Act on June 9, 2023, just days after becoming president. He called it a significant step towards opening up the electricity market.

This new law allows state governments to set rules for electricity generation, transmission, and distribution within their areas, rather than leaving everything to the federal government.

Alake mentioned that states like Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna, and Niger are already using this law to start their electricity regulatory agencies and attract private investments.

He also pointed out that the Tinubu administration inherited over ₦6 trillion in debts from previous years and has put measures in place to tackle these financial challenges in the sector.

One of these measures is the Presidential Metering Initiative, aimed at closing a metering gap of over seven million customers. Alake stated that over 1.5 million electricity customers have been metered through this initiative in the last three years.

Additionally, the government introduced a ₦4 trillion bond program to pay off debts owed to 21 electricity generation companies (GenCos) and gas companies (GasCos).

Alake shared that the first and second phases of the program raised over ₦1.2 trillion to partially settle these verified debts.

He said this intervention has helped restore trust in the electricity market and encouraged new investments by power generation firms. He mentioned Geregu Power Plc’s recent plans to invest in new power transformers at its Geregu 1 Power Plant.

Alake also defended the government's changes to electricity tariffs. He argued that adjusting tariffs to better reflect production costs is necessary for making electricity distribution companies financially stable.

He explained that the government created different electricity service bands to boost revenue collection and lessen the financial strain of electricity subsidies.

But he stressed that they are looking for ways to ensure tariffs are fair for low-income families.

On infrastructure projects, Alake said they are continuing work on projects started under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

"President Tinubu inherited many power-sector initiatives, including the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which his predecessor, late President Muhammadu Buhari, started," he said.

He said Tinubu reviewed the existing agreements and signed an acceleration agreement with German partners in December 2023. This aims to enhance the national transmission grid.

Alake noted that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved contracts in December 2024 for five new substations in key electricity areas. He assured that these projects would be completed and commissioned before the end of Tinubu’s first term.

He also mentioned that FEC approved more projects in June 2026 to build eight new substations and upgrade four others.

Plans are also in place to modernize the Osogbo Grid Control Centre, which has been around for over 60 years, and to build an East-West super grid.

Beyond these grid projects, he said the Rural Electrification Agency has connected universities, hospitals, and rural areas to solar power.

Alake argued that investments in the power sector take time because some equipment for major projects have long delivery times.

He insisted that the administration has not given up on solving Nigeria’s electricity problems.

"As he seeks Nigerians’ mandate for a second term in office, he will proudly present his scorecard in the power sector and clearly tell Nigerians what remains to be done," he said.