Protesters today gathered at the National Assembly complex in Abuja demanding the immediate confirmation of Engr. Ramat Abdullahi as Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
Armed with placards, the demonstrators accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin of allegedly delaying Abdullahi’s confirmation despite what they described as his “successful screening and outstanding qualifications.”
The protesters insisted that Engr. Abdullahi represents President Bola Tinubu’s reform vision for the power sector, and warned that the Senate must not undermine the administration’s efforts to overhaul the electricity industry.
Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “National Assembly must not be a clog in the wheel of energy reforms,” “Approve Ramat’s nomination now,” “Akpabio and Barau must stop undermining President Tinubu,” and “NERC needs Ramat now.”
The protesters also questioned the motives behind the delay: “What is Sen. Barau afraid of?” “Engr. Ramat has passed the committee screening, what is Akpabio waiting for?” and “If you have nothing to fear, Engr. Ramat is the right person for NERC.”
Some other messages included: “Senator Barau: stop fighting the interest of Kano State,” and “How can a Kano man be fighting against the interest of Kano State?”
The Pro-Ramat campaigners argued that the nominee is “young, fearless and a reformer,” insisting that his appointment is crucial for achieving the Tinubu administration’s power-sector acceleration programme.
“President Tinubu’s appointees should be respected by the NASS,” one placard read, while another stated, “The National Assembly must support President Tinubu’s power sector reform agenda.”
Engr. Abdullahi was nominated by President Tinubu to chair NERC as part of ongoing reforms in the electricity sector. However, his confirmation has reportedly faced delays following internal disagreements within the Senate leadership.
The protesters vowed to sustain pressure until the Senate releases the screening report and confirms Abdullahi.
