APC Campaign Council Defends President Tinubu’s 2023 Power Sector Pledges

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council has issued a formal response to recent public discourse surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promises regarding Nigeria’s electricity sector. In a statement released on Sunday, council spokesperson Dele Alake asserted that the President’s past remarks—specifically his pledge to end estimated billing and ensure stable power—have been taken out of context by critics.

Clarifying the 2023 Commitment

According to the APC, the controversy stems from a selective reading of a speech President Tinubu delivered to the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Lagos during his 2023 campaign. Alake emphasized that the President did not merely make an unconditional promise; rather, he framed his commitment within the context of accountability. During that address, Tinubu stated: “If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver.”

The campaign council argues that recent commentaries have omitted this concluding caveat, which they maintain provides the necessary framework for evaluating the President’s performance as he approaches the end of his current term.

Legislative and Regulatory Reforms

In defense of the administration’s record, the APC pointed to the Electricity Act 2023, signed into law on June 9, 2023, shortly after the President assumed office. This legislation represents a significant shift in the power sector by decentralizing control and allowing state governments to participate directly in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.

The council noted that several states, including Lagos, Enugu, Abia, Ekiti, Oyo, Kaduna, and Niger, have already established their own electricity regulatory agencies to leverage this new legal framework and attract private investment.

Addressing Metering and Legacy Debt

A central pillar of the President’s 2023 campaign was the elimination of estimated billing. The APC reported that the administration launched the Presidential Metering Initiative to tackle a backlog of over seven million unmetered customers. According to the council, more than 1.5 million customers have been provided with meters under this initiative over the past three years.

Furthermore, the administration is addressing a substantial financial burden in the sector. The council stated that between 2015 and 2025, legacy debts in the power sector exceeded ₦6 trillion. To mitigate this, the government introduced a ₦4 trillion bond program. Alake confirmed that the first and second tranches of this program have successfully raised over ₦1.2 trillion, which has been directed toward settling verified obligations to 21 generation companies and gas suppliers.

Infrastructure and Future Outlook

The APC highlighted several ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at stabilizing the national grid. These include:

• Grid Modernization: Plans to upgrade the Osogbo Grid Control Centre and the construction of an East-West super grid.
• Transmission Upgrades: The acceleration of the Presidential Power Initiative through partnerships with German firms, alongside the approval of numerous substation upgrades by the Federal Executive Council.
• Renewable Energy: Continued efforts by the Rural Electrification Agency to provide solar power to universities, hospitals, and rural communities.

The council acknowledged that the power sector crisis remains a work in progress. However, they maintained that President Tinubu remains committed to his original goals. As the administration prepares for the next electoral cycle, the council stated that the President intends to present his specific scorecard to Nigerians, detailing both his achievements and the remaining challenges in the sector.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Channels Television

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