The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have issued a scathing joint statement demanding the immediate resignation of Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adelabu Adebayo, citing incompetence and a failure to address the country’s chronic electricity crisis.
The statement, signed by Comrade James Ezema (Deputy National Publicity Secretary, CNPP) and Alhaji Ali Abacha (National Secretary, CNCSOs), condemned the Minister’s performance, describing him as “a classic example of a round peg in a square hole.”
Criticism of Nigeria’s Power Sector Under Adelabu’s Leadership
The coalition highlighted the dire state of Nigeria’s electricity supply, where:
– Over 40% of Nigerians remain without access to electricity.
– The national grid delivers a meagre and unreliable 2,000MW to 4,000MW daily—a situation unchanged since the 1980s.
“This failure has perpetuated economic stagnation, job losses, and the collapse of small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” the statement read. It further lamented Nigeria’s lagging electrification rates compared to other African nations, despite the country’s vast human and natural resources.
Failure to Utilise the Nigerian Electricity Act (2023)
The coalition accused Minister Adelabu of failing to leverage the Nigerian Electricity Act of 2023, which decentralises electricity provision and encourages public-private collaboration.
“His inability to market these opportunities to local and international investors has worsened the power crisis and stifled economic recovery,” the statement added.
Alarming Grid Collapses and Rising Costs
Citing a Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) report, the statement revealed:
– Three total grid collapses and two partial collapses in Q4 2024.
– Nigerians paid N509.84 billion to electricity distribution companies in the same period—up from N466.69 billion in Q3 2024.
– 12 total grid collapses recorded in 2024 alone.
“These statistics underscore the Minister’s inability to resolve systemic failures in the power sector,” the coalition asserted.
Questioning Adelabu’s Appointment and Expertise
The statement criticised the Minister’s appointment as “political patronage rather than merit”, noting his background in finance, hospitality, agriculture, and real estate—not power sector management.
“His continued tenure is untenable,” the coalition declared, urging President Bola Tinubu to redeploy Adelabu within seven day to a ministry matching his competencies.
Broader Critique of Tinubu’s Administration
The coalition also condemned broader government policies, arguing:
“While we acknowledge the President’s intentions to tackle national challenges, the incompetence of appointees like Adelabu undermines progress and erodes public trust.”
Final Demand for Action
In a resolute conclusion, the CNPP and CNCSOs demanded:
“The power sector is too critical to be entrusted to those lacking expertise. Minister Adelabu must resign or be redeployed immediately to prevent further damage to Nigeria’s economy and citizens’ well-being.”
The coalition vowed to continue scrutinising Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under Tinubu’s administration, prioritising the interests of Nigerians suffering from poor governance.
