The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced strong opposition against the heightened electricity tariff for Band A consumers within Nigeria.
Expressing his concerns, the former Governor of Anambra State criticized the Bola Tinubu administration for its lack of strategic foresight regarding the increase, urging for a more thoughtful approach considering the long-term consequences.
During an interview with journalists in Gombe State, following his donation of a borehole to the ram market in Tike Pantami, Obi lamented the timing of the government’s decision, foreseeing added burdens for Nigerians. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive solution that addresses the challenges faced by vulnerable communities, stressing the importance of subsidizing electricity for rural areas while expecting higher payments from urban residents, as is the norm globally.
The recent escalation in electricity tariffs, approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 3rd, witnessed a staggering 300 per cent increase for select consumers, as disclosed by NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, in Abuja.
Echoing similar sentiments, former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, condemned the Tinubu-led government for its hasty implementation of reforms without considering the aftermath. Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday, criticized the lack of adequate notice and post-reform plans to alleviate the impact of the policy on Nigerian citizens.
